SOTM: Liana Olmedo

Liana Olmedo is the daughter of Chrystal Velasco and Gabriel Olmedo, she is 22 years old and attends Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott. She began her academic journey there in 2022 and will be graduating with her Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics this Fall 2025 semester.

Liana has already received her Private Pilot’s license and has accumulated 360 flight hours in the Cessna 172 Skyhawk and is now working on achieving her Instrument Rating which is an additional qualification that a pilot earns on their pilot certificate.

Her career goal is to become an aerial firefighter and to do this she must obtain a Commercial Pilot Certificate and accumulate at least 1,500 to 3,000 flight hours and complete specialized wildfire training. She stated, “Being a pilot is a continuous learning journey, especially if a pilot wants to obtain other ratings or certifications.”

Liana Olmedo

Recognized October 2025 by the Salt River School's Education Board.