Dallas Balentine’s life began quietly, nestled in the heart of Saint Paul, Minnesota. Born on April 16, 2004, Dallas came into the world with a unique trait: one striking blue eye. However, the joy of his arrival was quickly met with a revelation that would shape his life’s narrative—he was profoundly deaf. For the Balentine family, this was not a limitation but a challenge to be met with unwavering faith and determination.

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Growing up in Oakdale and Minneapolis, Dallas’ childhood was rich in adventure and family bonds. Summers were spent cruising with loved ones, his father introducing him to the thrill of action movies, and the neighborhood kids turning bike rides into epic explorations. But beneath the laughter, there was a quiet struggle. Learning to speak his first words was a monumental milestone, achieved through years of rigorous speech therapy and the groundbreaking intervention of cochlear implants. Dallas’ parents, Dee and Floyd, sacrificed and prayed, ensuring their son would have every opportunity to thrive.

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Education became both a refuge and a proving ground. From Anne Sullivan Elementary to Maranatha Christian Academy, Dallas’ journey was marked by determination. His early struggles to keep up with classmates evolved into triumphs, culminating in a stellar 3.86 GPA. Along the way, he discovered a passion for aerospace, nurtured by field trips to the Boeing assembly line, Space Camp in Huntsville, and a serendipitous meeting with astronaut Buzz Aldrin. These experiences lit a fire within Dallas, solidifying his dream of one day walking among the stars.

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College brought Dallas to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where he dove headfirst into the challenging world of aerospace engineering. As a third-year student, he balanced rigorous coursework with leadership roles in student government and filmmaking, all while advancing his technical skills. His involvement with the National Society of Black Engineers and other organizations positioned him at the forefront of his field. His summers were spent not lounging by the pool but in flight academies and NASA internships, earning his private pilot’s license and sharpening his engineering expertise.