Ferris’ Tim Branson aims for the sky

Lots of teens dream of flying, but Tim Branson has done more than just dream.

He’s just a few lessons away from getting his private pilot’s license.

He’s accomplished this while maintaining above-average grades as well as playing football for the Saxons and participating on the Ferris bowling team.

Branson has had to work harder than most teens because both his parents are profoundly deaf.

He grew up using sign language to communicate. This made it difficult for him to understand English.

With the help of speech classes in elementary and middle school, his English skills improved.

“It’s been hard watching my parents struggle to communicate,” he said. “People yell at them and act annoyed when my parents can’t understand what’s being said.”

Branson acts as an interpreter for his parents when they go out.

“It’s been a good lesson for me,” he said. “I wish people wouldn’t judge others because of their disabilities.”

The staff at Ferris has found Branson to be unfailingly pleasant, courteous and appreciative.

He represents his family, school and community in a positive light.

He will be attending Spokane Falls Community College this fall and will enter the Aviation/Airway Science Program. He later plans to transfer to the University of North Dakota to earn his wings.

But in many ways Tim Branson is already soaring.