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Capt. Kevin McLaughlin goes by the call sign Proton because he
once worked on a nuclear submarine before flying jets.
Now working with Boeing, he once flew jets for the Navy and
served as a Top Gun instructor. At a Springfield movie theater
Tuesday, he talked to high school students about STEM careers
just before a screening of “Top Gun: Maverick,” a film he
started assisting with a decade ago. He remembers when the first
film came out.
“1986, a senior in high school is when the movie ‘Top Gun’ came
out so there’s some symmetry here,” McLaughlin said. “It
certainly inspired me and inspired men and women in my
generation who were interested in flying.”
Springfield high school senior Passion Hood said the 2018 death
of her mother inspired her to get passionate about her
education.
“Found interest in aerospace engineering and then it was
chemical engineering and then it was computer science, so we’re
applying for colleges right now,” Hood said.
McLaughlin’s advice for Hood and others who may not know exactly
what they want to do is to be persistent.
“The key is you continue to stay engaged and go after the things
that you want and make them materialize,” Proton said. “Manifest
your destiny.”
Illinois Manufacturers’ Association’s Mark Denzler said having
someone like Proton to inspire kids to STEM education is
important.
“They’re in the next generation,” Denzler said. “They're gonna
fight the next disease. They’re going to build the next
spacecraft. They’re going to build the next generation fighter.”
About 150 high school students took part in the event.
Greg Bishop reports on Illinois government and
other issues for The Center Square. Bishop has years of
award-winning broadcast experience and hosts the WMAY Morning
Newsfeed out of Springfield.
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