World Book Day: ICS alumna, Maya, is flying high!
Published: Thu 6 March 2025What better way to celebrate World Book Day than hearing from former ICS student, Maya, about publishing her debut children’s story? Not only that but her book, Eliana Wants To Fly, was also illustrated by fellow alumna and friend, Elisa.
Maya, 18, has only just completed her A levels as part of our founding cohort but she has already set her sights high, in more ways than one. Having completed A levels in Maths, Physics and Economics, it’s Maya’s dream to become an airline pilot for British Airways. In January 2024 Maya wrote an article for Travel Radar about the underrepresentation of Black female pilots in the UK, Maya felt driven to do more to inspire girls from minority backgrounds who want to become pilots, or simply have ambitions or dreams of their own that feel out of reach.
My aim is to captivate young minds and instil a sense of possibility and ambition
Maya
ICS Alumnus
Eliana Wants to Fly is a captivating children’s picture book for readers aged 3 – 8 years old that follows the imaginative adventures of a young girl named Eliana as she envisions herself exploring the world. From navigating stormy skies to flying over beautiful landscapes, readers are taken on an exciting journey alongside Eliana as she encounters new horizons.
Maya is piloting this passion project, but she has also assembled an incredibly talented crew to join her on her journey into publishing, including her friend Elisa who, despite still being a student at City of London Academy Highgate Hill, illustrated the children’s story. At just 13 years old, Elisa is also aiming high and wants to inspire others along the way. Year 12 student Ishraq is the web designer of the Eliana Wants to Fly website.
It was a privilege to be given the opportunity to create the website for Eliana Wants to Fly, I feel honored to help her vision get out there and inspire the next generation!
Ishraq
Year 12 student, Head of Robotics Society
Happy World Book Day! If you would like our aspiring authors to visit your school and read to your students, please get in touch.
Maya
ICS Alumus
Ishraq
Year 12 student, Head of Robotics Society