Charles Fountain has been named the 2025-26 University View Academy High School Student of the Year. Fountain is set to graduate from UVA in May of 2026.
Fountain began his schooling at UVA during the 2019-20 academic year as a sixth grader. Seven years later and he couldn’t be more prepared for the next step of his journey – due in large part to his experience at UVA.
“I’m honored to be chosen as the 2025-26 UVA High School Student of the Year,” Fountain said. “My journey at UVA has been challenging but incredibly rewarding. To me, UVA means opportunity and direction. It’s paved the path before me and given me the support I need to move forward, but to achieve more than I ever thought possible.”
A straight-A student with a 4.7 GPA, Fountain has served on the Student Leadership Council at UVA as the vice chair, founded and captained the UVA Quiz Bowl Club, and he served as a reporter for UVA’s school paper, Paw Prints.
“I owe my academic success to my parents,” Fountain noted. “They were the driving force in everything that I’ve done. They’ve always supported me and pushed me to the best version of myself. Without my family and closest friends, I simply wouldn’t be here.
“Founding the UVA Quiz Bowl Club is one of my proudest accomplishments, not because of any trophies or titles, but because of the relationships and growth it inspired in others. It brings me joy to see those who joined in this journey stepping up to lead.”
Fountain has poured his life into aviation. For as long as he can remember, he’s had a passion for planes. He joined the Civil Air Patrol at the age of 12 and hasn’t looked back since – only forward.
His accomplishments in aviation are resounding. He was one of 160 applicants – in a pool of over 10,000 – selected to partake in the National Blue Beret in the summer of 2025. The National Blue Beret is a two-week Civil Air Patrol activity that supports the Airventure Oshkosh Air Show in Wisconsin; it’s known as the world’s largest annual aviation celebration.
As his senior year was beginning in August, Fountain was notified of another honor – becoming a Cadet Wings recipient. Through this program, Fountain will be able to obtain his private pilot’s certificate.
“Aviation has always played a massive part in my life,” Fountain said. “I always knew that I wanted to be a pilot, but since my first flight, it’s been more than a dream. In the pursuit of my private pilot’s certificate, I’ve met lifelong friends, personal mentors, and I’ve had opportunities that I never could have dreamed of.”
Fountain has plans to enter the United States Air Force Special Operations Command following graduation at UVA. He aspires to become a 2nd Lt. and C-146 Wolfhound pilot through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps.
Each fall, 5th, 8th, and 12th grade UVA students are asked to submit applications for the Student of the Year award program, which recognizes students who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, academic rigor, citizenship, and service.