Declan Steele was 12 when his grandfather invited him aboard an airplane he built himself: a two-seat Van’s RV-12 constructed in the basement of his Massachusetts home.
For Declan, that first flight changed everything.
“I got into the plane and fell in love with flying,” he recalls.
Years later, that early fascination brought Declan to Nashua Community College, where he enrolled in the Aviation Technology program and began turning his childhood passion into a career. He earned his private pilot license and Airframe certification while working toward his Powerplant certification, building the technical skills and credentials that would open doors across the aviation industry.
Declan credits NCC faculty for encouraging him to look beyond a single career path.
“Professor McRoberts really got me thinking about the many career options in aviation,” he says. “There are so many paths I can take, and I’m excited to see where I end up.”
As he balanced work, flying and the demands of his aviation training, support from the Captain Jack Casey Memorial Scholarship gave Declan something particularly valuable: more time to focus on his education and his future.
The scholarship was established in memory of Captain Jack T. Casey, a U.S. Marine Corps pilot who was killed in 2024 during a training flight in California. His family created the scholarship to honor his life and legacy, including his dedication to aviation, service, and helping others. Those qualities resonated with Declan.
“What really stuck with me was how those who knew him remembered his dedication and willingness to help others,” Declan says. “I want to carry that mentality into my career and life.”
That connection has grown even more meaningful as Declan begins his path of military service. After graduating from NCC in May, he enlisted in the New Hampshire Air National Guard. He will complete basic military training, followed by technical training in radio communications, while continuing to pursue his aviation goals.
His long-term flight plan is still taking shape, and Declan is comfortable with that. He hopes to continue his education and ultimately earn a bachelor’s degree. He can imagine a future flying for an airline or even as a bush pilot in Alaska.
