Not every teen can take a high school activity into a career path, but a recent Selkirk grad is doing just that.

Colton Millington of Kimberley spent most of his teen years as a member of 266 royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron in Kimberley.

Colton will be heading to Canada’s Royal Military College next year for officer training for the military, where he hopes to be a pilot.

Millington was among 70 Air Cadets on parade to receive their Air Cadet pilot’s wings at the Regional Gliding School (Pacific) in Comox, BC. The cadets were presented their wings by Colonel W.F Veenhof, Commander of the Regional Air Command Element Detachment Esquimalt. Colton is the Squadron Commander and highest ranking cadet at 266 Kimberley Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron in Kimberly.

He was also one of just 30 Air Cadets from across British Columbia that spent eight weeks learning to fly powered aircraft and earning his Transport Canada Private Pilots License.

He was accepted to RMC this year, but because the start date conflicted with flight school, he chose to get his pilot’s license.

“Cadets has taught me no matter where you come from, you can achieve anything,” said Colton, already an accomplished Glider Pilot who takes air cadets on glider flights on weekends throughout the school year.

Much of Colton’s opportunity to fly came through the Air Cadets but mom Jen says he’s had a passion for flight that predates joining the cadets.

“He’s been into planes all his life,” Jen said. “His first word wasn’t Mom or Dad, he said ‘airplane’.

“I am very, very proud of him,” Mom adds.

During his year off, Jen says Colton will try to pick up some flight hours.

“Hopefully he will find a way to become an airport rat,” she said.

“These young men and women have worked very hard this summer to become licensed pilots and we are all very proud of their accomplishments,” said Lt.-Col Tony Appels, Commanding Officer of RGS (Pacific). “This is a very dedicated group of young adults who are going to make their own special mark on this country; it may be as a future Prime Minister, an airline pilot or by simply being a better Canadian.”

Royal Canadian Air Cadets is a national co-educational youth organization sponsored in partnership by the Canadian Forces and the civilian Air Cadet League of Canada. In British Columbia there are about 3,600 Air Cadets enrolled in 55 Squadrons.

In Kimberley the Air Cadets meet every Tuesday at 6 pm at Oughtred Hall. Anyone interested in learning more about the Air Cadets is welcome to drop in on Tuesday evenings and find out what this free program for youth is all about.