Graduate spotlight : Blaine High School alum earns wings , soars skies as commercial pilot
Zach Crowe
SPRING 2024
unique opportunity to serve as a first officer with him on four separate flights from Minneapolis St . Paul to Boston , El Paso , Jamaica and Puerto Vallarta .
Reflecting on his journey , Crowe keeps in touch with Mrs . Amenrud , his fourth- and fifth-grade teacher at Johnsville Elementary School . “ She was influential in my development as a student early on . I remember she was such a respectful and supportive teacher - and I wanted to do well for her .”
“ I was no model student by any means , but aviation was one thing I was passionate about that I was able to dump all my time and effort into ,” Crowe explained . Peter Groebner , Crowe ’ s instructor at STEP and endorsing instructor while he worked toward his private pilot ground test , also played a key role in helping him navigate opportunities .
“ My experiences [ at BHS and STEP ] allowed me to graduate [ college ] a full year early ,” Crowe said . “ As an adult now , I realize the value of getting into your chosen career path as soon as you can . Never underestimate the value of starting early and doing things for your future , now .” n
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Zach Crowe ’ s (‘ 17 ) journey from Blaine High School ( BHS ) to the cockpit of a Delta Airlines jet was a meticulously charted course .
After attending both Johnsville Elementary and Roosevelt Middle School , Crowe enrolled in the Center for Engineering , Mathematics and Science ( CEMS ) program during his sophomore year at BHS , with the initial intent to pursue engineering . However , his experience in an Aerodynamics class initiated a change of direction . “ The main thing [ from that class ] that stuck out to me was putting the science behind how airplanes are able to fly ,” Crowe explained . “ That ’ s really when I started to look into it and decided that was what I wanted to do .”
Crowe took an “ Introduction to Aviation ” class his senior year in high school offered to students through the Anoka-Hennepin Secondary Technical Education Program ( STEP ). Aviation courses allow students to explore potential careers with field trips , hands-on air traffic control simulators in the classroom , and exposure to relevant topics such as weather ; flight training ; and general , corporate and commercial operations .
From there , Crowe ’ s preparation for this future career took off . He completed more aviation technology classes at STEP and earned his private pilot ’ s license in his senior year of high school at the Anoka County - Blaine Airport . “ The STEP classes mirrored my freshman classes at college .” The credits he earned at STEP were transferable to Minnesota State University , Mankato , where he graduated in 2020 .
Crowe was hired by Endeavor Airlines in 2021 where he spent two years as a first officer and captain . He flew a 76-seat regional jet before shifting gears , now serving as a first officer and co-pilot flying a Boeing 737 for Delta Airlines .
Further fueling Crowe ’ s pursuit of an aviation career was a family legacy and tradition of flight . His great-grandfather was a World War II pilot instructor and opened the Grand Forks airport .
Crowe ’ s father , Mike , has worked for Delta Airlines for the past 24 years and is now a captain . This year , Zach had the