Blayten Park
Ferris High School
From helping frame walls and windows to wiring sprinkler systems, Blayten has been working with his hands all his life. His interest in hands-on learning led him to participate in the Core Plus Aerospace Summer Student Development Program, where he gained experience in riveting, blueprint reading, wiring, and safety. During the program, Blayten worked on projects such as wiring an HVAC circuit board using Boeing-standard blueprints.
“The most fun part of the program was learning with the people around you and seeing each other grow and get better,” Blayten said. “It’s a great way to open doors and meet new people.”
Blayten was hired through the Boeing Pre-Employment Training Program and is currently an Aircraft Structures Mechanic in Everett. Blayten’s career goal is to become an industrial Electronic Maintenance Technician and continue to grow in the aerospace manufacturing industry.
Isael Lopez
Washington High School and Pierce County Skills Center
Isael Lopez discovered his passion for manufacturing in high school when he enrolled in a Core Plus Aerospace class and quickly realized he loved the hands-on work. In high school, Isael learned skills and gained hands-on experience with rivet guns, drills, rotary tools, and Computer Numerical Control machines.
Isael also participated in the Core Plus Aerospace Summer Student Development Program. He grew from a participant to an alumni leader who supported new students in the program.
“I feel like I developed new skills like leadership and public speaking,” Isael said. “I learned more skills than I would have ever dreamed of.”
Isael was hired through the Boeing Pre-Employment Training Program and began his career as an Aircraft Structure Mechanic at Boeing in Renton. His goal is to be a Blue Streak Mechanic apprentice.
“What excites me about my future is that I feel like I can continue going up,” Isael said. “I’m doing something with my life that will set me up for success.”
Molly Dougherty
Tahoma High School
Molly explored her interest in hands-on work through automotive technology classes at Tahoma High School. Her interest in manufacturing led her to participate in the Core Plus Aerospace Student Development Program where she gained experience in riveting, drilling, and completed a capstone project using aluminum.
Through the program, Molly strengthened her teamwork and problem-solving skills while exploring a variety of career pathways at Boeing from electrical and maintenance roles to mechatronics.
“Seeing the diversity of experience pathways in Boeing was the best,” Molly said. “Everyone started from somewhere different, took different paths, yet all ended up at Boeing and are individually aspiring to their passions.”
The hands-on experience helped solidify her plans after graduation. Molly was hired through the Boeing Pre-Employment Training Program as an Aircraft Structures Mechanic in Renton and looks forward to continuing to learn and grow in her career at Boeing.
Payton Kenagy
Shadle Park High School
As a Core Plus Aerospace student at Shadle Park High School in Spokane, Payton Kenagy discovered a passion for hands-on learning and advanced manufacturing. During his first year, he built foundational skills, like slop safety, blueprint reading and precision measurement. By his second year, he was tackling larger projects, including fabricating a toolbox and constructing a lamp by riveting sheet metal. He also used the skills he learned in class to help build a monster truck in his free time.
In 2022, Payton participated in the Summer Student Development Program, where he strengthened his riveting and drilling skills while gaining real-world experience.
“The most fun part of the program was making new friends,” Payton said. “Along with riveting and drilling, I strengthened my communication skills that helped me get my job at Boeing.”
Now in his third year working as an In-Tank Mechanic at Boeing in Everett, Payton’s goal is to become a Team Lead on the 777X Horizontal Build Line.
