18 Feb 2016 Lauren Ramey: Piloting her life

Story and photos by Megan Ledbetter

Some students spend their entire college career seeking what they dream of doing, but others, like Lauren Ramey, know exactly what their dream is and seek to make it a reality despite the costs or obstacles. Lauren chose to be a pilot. 

Lauren Ramey, daughter of Fred and Gina Ramey and lifelong resident of Searcy, received an appointment to the Air Force Academy in December. She is a senior at Searcy High School, where she plays a leadership role in the band (playing the trumpet) and serves as a drum major. She also spends her time running cross country and track and is a member of the Beta Club and National Honor Society. 

Although she had little prior interest and only one family member in the military, a grandfather who served in the Navy, Lauren recalls attending an air show in Jacksonville with her parents. She became captivated by what she experienced. Because of the air show, she soon decided her dream was to become a pilot. Her parents realized this was not a temporary dream and the Air Force Academy was pursued among the options that she could take on the path to becoming a pilot. 

As Lauren embarked on the journey to applying, she found the process challenging. During these times, she was reminded by her father that the process served as a means of selecting students who were serious and dedicated. The process was competitive for a reason, and this was just another aspect of that competitiveness. 

The process included applications, interviews, countless forms and a nomination that could come from one of five different sources (congressional, vice presidential, military affiliated, U.S. territory or international). 

The process of selecting cadets for the academy is rigorous and competitive. In order to truly examine the applicants holistically, the process includes elements that examine academic ability, athleticism, character and leadership potential. On average only about 8 percent of applicants are accepted as cadets. 

In seeking her nomination, having only one familial military connection, Lauren sought a congressional nomination through Tom Cotton, John Boozman and French Hill. 

When she received an interview for a nomination with a select panel in Little Rock, she had the opportunity to interact with other students who were pursuing the same goals with the same intensity, encouraging her to strive to do her best. 

Throughout the entire process her family was her biggest support system. In addition to her family, many other people, who she didn’t even know were aware of her application process, encouraged her throughout the course of her journey. Lauren described the amount of people who knew and supported her as “overwhelming.” Having so many people aware and encouraging her pushed her to pursue her dream. 

One supporter she confided in about the process was her band director since seventh grade, Tony Luzzi, a National Guard veteran. Lauren described him as a motivating, strict band director. Although Lauren is very self-motivating, when she did need an outside push, Luzzi was always there. Upon the first mention of her application to the academy he remained consistently invested in her journey, which included writing one of her letters of recommendation. Aside from family, Luzzi was one of the first people she told after receiving the acceptance call. 

Not long after Christmas, much sooner than she expected, Lauren received a call at home from U.S. Rep. French Hill. He told her he wanted to be the first to congratulate her and informed her that the Air Force Academy would be contacting her soon. The moment she received this call and all the emotions that accompanied it remain a blur to Lauren. As if that wasn’t enough, the next day during band rehearsal, she received another call from U.S. Sen. John Boozman with a similar message.  

A few days after the initial shock, Lauren recalls the aftermath of the news as she woke up one morning asking herself if it had all been a dream, but it had not. She is preparing to become the pilot of her own life as she enters the Air Force Academy as a cadet in June, making her dreams her reality.