Super Kid Weston Brickman’s got a mind to fly

SNOHOMISH — Weston Brickman, 17, is a senior at Glacier Peak High School.

Question: How did you get involved in the Everett Rowing Association?

Answer: It started the fall season of last year. My mom saw it on some advertisement or something … I came to a few practices and enjoyed it, and it just went from there.

Q: You have a GPA of 3.57. What drives you to get good grades?

A: Scholarships are a big part of it and being able to pay for college and get into a good college. I’m looking to go into a flight school to be a pilot, and it’s pretty expensive with tuition and flight school on top of that.

Q: What made you decide to become a pilot?

A: Honestly, I’m not really sure. Since freshman year I’ve wanted to be a pilot. Both of my grandfathers were in the Air Force.

Q: Have you taken any flying lessons?

A: Yeah, just quick short runs.

Q: What got you hooked?

A: It started as military in middle school. We had to do a project looking for a career and I did a helicopter pilot in the military, and it went from that — gunner, shoot-’em-up stuff — then it turned into a realistic commercial pilot.

Q: What do you like to do outside of school?

A: Right now, it’s just rowing. I get done with school, go home and go to rowing, and that’s three hours. Then I’ll get home, do homework, eat and go to bed.

Q: What subjects in school do you like the most?

A: I’m pretty high up in math. I don’t really enjoy math. I enjoy history more, but I’m decent at math so I’m in AP Stats and AP Literature right now. I’ve always had a strong background in math and English.

Q: Why history?

A: I think it’s interesting because it’s real life situations that have happened to people. I think it’s more relatable than other subjects.

Q: You have a little brother, right?

A: I have four siblings. I’m the oldest by seven years.

Q: Do you have anything you want to get done senior year, or that you’re looking forward to?

A: Well, being done is a big one. Spending time with friends. This summer I hope to be able to do all of the senior stuff we do at the end of the year.

Q: Where do you want to go to college?

A: The biggest ones right now are Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the University of North Dakota.

Q: What are some of your goals for life?

A: A big one right now is figuring out college … going to college and keeping up my grades, finding a good friend base there. The aviation community isn’t huge … just graduating from flight school and getting my pilot’s license and getting into an airline company to fly for them.

Q: Do you think you’ll live in this area after college?

A: After school, I’d like to come back. I actually don’t mind our weather, but I’m not sure exactly yet.

Q: What do you like about rowing?

A: How physical and difficult it is. Most people don’t really understand it’s a hard sport. A lot of kids who do it and who have done other sports, and I’ve done other sports, say it’s the hardest they’ve ever done.

Q: You said you like the mentality of it. What does that mean?

A: Being able to drive yourself because it pushes you to gain, to look forward … the other people in the boat are going to need that also.

Q: Have you read “Boys in the Boat” about rowing? It was named as a book to read this year by the library in Everett.

A: It’s very well done. It shows that whole side of the sport, the mentality and the difficulty of it. It’s a bunch of farm kids who come together and push themselves to be competitive and fight for the medal.

Q: Have you had a key teacher or role model who you look up to or who’s changed your life?

A: All my teachers have been great, so I’m not sure if I have a favorite. My French teacher, Mrs. (Susan) Gevaert, has been really patient and encouraging, especially because French isn’t my best subject. I appreciate the extra time she’s given me to succeed. I’m fortunate and blessed to have a lot of people I look up to in my life. My parents and grandparents have been my biggest supporters. Each of them have encouraged me in their own way.

Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.