By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Choosing a career path can be a difficult challenge for many adolescents, and a large portion struggle with the decision well into their college careers. St. Charles Catholic sophomore Nicholas Delbasty, however, suffers from no such dilemma.

Delbasty has for the last 14 months been involved with the Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the Air Force.

“I’m one of those dreamers,” he said. “Flying is what really got me started.”

According to Delbasty, friends and family nudged him toward the Civil Air Patrol and once pointed in that direction, he has kept his eyes on the skies both literally and figuratively.

As a member of the CAP, the Paulina native and other area cadets meet weekly to work on matters such as aeronautics, physical education, character development and military procedures.

Delbasty is not just another cadet, however. Because of his natural leadership abilities, he was chosen by his peers to lead the group of local cadets.

It is not his peers that see the innate leadership abilities in Delbasty either. In his 14 months as a cadet, Delbasty has already achieved the rank of staff sergeant.

It seems his role in the Civil Air Patrol is a perfect fit for other reasons as well. Naturally, one of the activities the cadets engage in is flight training aboard the organization’s Cessna 172. Delbasty said during his first time up, the instructor called him a natural born pilot.

This was good news for the teenager as his future plans include a possible stint at the Air Force Academy.

“I don’t know if I want to go the fighter route or be a bomber, but I’ll probably go fighter,” he said.

He said he is also considering a career as an aeronautical engineer but has lately been leaning toward the academy.

For now, though, Delbasty is content with his current station.

“It teaches me how to handle situations I could be presented with I the future,” he said.

He added that he enjoys being able to pass knowledge on to some of the younger cadets.

During his relatively short stint in the CAP, Delbasty’s vision for the future has attained the laser-like focus necessary for a career in aviation.

Although the CAP only meets once a week, he said, “My free time is pretty much devoted to (the Civil Air Patrol).”

Delbasty said one of the projects currently occupying his free time is the establishment of an honor guard that will participate in parades and funeral and assist in anti-drug education at area schools.

While his focus may be on the skies, Delbasty is far from a one-trick pony. SCC Principal Anrew Cupit praised his talent on the piano as well.

No matter where this young man’s talents take him, one thing is certain — the sky is the limit.