Aviation Maintenance
Technician Student of the Year

Aviation Institute of Maintenance -Virginia Beach’s own Ms. Wallace was honored at the 2007 Aviation Technician Education Council (ATEC) Annual Conference in Orlando, FL on April 3rd as the James Rardon Aviation Maintenance Technician Student of the Year. Sponsored by the Northrop Rice Foundation, the award recognizes the outstanding achievements of aviation maintenance technician students.

Ms. Wallace was chosen from among nine finalists representing 119 aviation maintenance technician schools throughout the US and Canada. Selection criteria for this prestigious award included leadership/motivation, academics, and school/community. According to Mike Huffman, School Director, “Ms. Wallace is committed to achieving her dream of becoming an Aviation Maintenance Technician and to opening the doors of opportunity to her career path of choice. As a single parent, student, and family provider, she has taken a leadership role among her peers and is a living example of what one can do when determined to excel and achieve one’s goals in spite of ever-present obstacles.”

Interestingly, the High Point, North Carolina, native is a Certified Nursing Assistant by profession and had no previous aviation maintenance experience prior to arriving at AIM. In fact, Ms. Wallace had never ridden on an airplane until she went to Orlando. The transportation industry, i.e., planes, trains, automobiles or anything else that moves.

One day, when asked why the career change, she said, “I’ve always been fascinated with a friend told me about his attending an aircraft maintenance school and gave me a brochure. I knew then that this was my opportunity to
pursue my lifelong fascination. I’m also encouraged by the job stability that the aviation industry affords.”

With that, Ms. Wallace packed up her four children and mother, and moved to Virginia Beach to begin her journey, a journey which involved working two jobs, caring for her school-aged children and mother, and volunteering on weekends. However, despite her challenges, Ms. Wallace still managed to maintain a 3.2 grade point average and
assist her classmates. She organized and led student study groups, befriended and availed herself to new students, assisted students with transportation and personal needs, and provided in-school employment and housing information.

It is this type of selfless effort and perseverance that resulted in Ms. Wallace’s trip to Orlando. While there, she immediately became the center of attention of aviation employers, receiving three employment offers and developing rapport among many aviation industry leaders. When asked how she felt about her sudden burst into the spotlight, she replied, “Sometimes, I can’t believe they’re talking about me.” Well, Brenda, they were talking about you and will be talking about you for a long time. Congratulations for a job well done, Ms. Brenda Wallace, and best wishes to you as you pursue your aspirations of becoming an FAA crash investigator.