My name is Zane Polins — I’m a 17-year-old student pilot, jazz musician, and aspiring entrepreneur from Tampa. This past weekend I had the chance to visit Florida Tech in Melbourne, and it gave me a real glimpse of what my future could look like. I met the aviation management leadership team, learned about campus life and clubs, toured the dorms, and even checked out the flight deck. Seeing their fleet of Piper aircraft was a huge highlight, especially since I recently switched from a Cessna to a Piper Warrior — it felt like the perfect fit. I met other young pilots from all over the country, ate in the cafeteria (great food!), and spent time walking the beautiful campus. We ended the weekend with dinner on the beach, watching the Atlantic waves crash — a lot different than the Gulf back home in Tampa. It was an amazing visit, and I left knowing more about what I want to study and where I want to be