Age : 39

Jumps : 1,400

Occupation : Engineering Cost Estimator

Education : A.D. in Applied Arts, Specialty in Computer Aided Design, Grand Rapids Community College

Sign : Taurus

Favorite Recipe: anything new!

 

After her grandmother moved away from her family in Michigan, Shannon was always looking to the sky as a child, waving to every passing airplane and calling out, “bye bye Grandma!” As she grew, she remained a free spirit, spending every spare minute outside, and with her eyes often turned to the heavens. She had always thought about taking to the skies as a skydiver, but she never thought it would really happen.

In 2001, though, a friend’s father mentioned the idea of making tandem skydives one weekend. Surprised but intrigued, Shannon went along to see what it was all about. When her friend suggested they try it, she laughed. “I thought to myself, ‘yeah, right!’ but the next day, that is what we did. We made our first tandem skydive, and I immediately booked my second jump for the following day.” After that fateful visit, she enrolled at a Michigan drop zone and finished her Accelerated Freefall course within a few months. Although she has traveled to many different drop zones around the country, her home is now Skydive Chicago. “I love that place!”

 

Looking back, Shannon is amazed at the turns her life has taken since becoming a jumper. “My life was changed from my first step on the drop zone. I am more outgoing, more safety conscious, and I say what’s on my mind. I’m not worried anymore about what other people are going to think of me.”

About flying in the Furies’ Tail position, Shannon says, “being part of a team gives me a sense of completeness, accomplishing our goals together and striving to be the best we can as a team. In skydiving, friendships are intense. You don’t find friends like this anywhere else.” She is grateful for her family’s support even though they worry, especially from her mother “she’s like my best friend.” While not training or jumping for fun, Shannon enjoys inline skating, biking, softball, and pretty much any outdoor activity, as well as cooking and spending time with her friends.

Skydiving Philosophy : Never stop learning, never give up, breathe, smile, and have fun.

Life Philosophy : Work hard, play hard!