Husky leads the pack with a business before graduation

Submitted by Hamilton Heights School Corporation

Hamilton Heights High School (HHHS) senior Connelly Schuster walked across the graduation stage on Saturday with something few students his age can claim: a fully established and growing business built from a passion he discovered long before senior year. As the founder of Schuster Drone Media, he has transformed a love of photography, videography, and technology into a professional venture serving real estate agents, companies, and clients across central Indiana.

His journey began with a simple interest in cameras and editing. After experimenting with toy drones as a kid, he saved enough money to purchase his first professional drone, a DJI Mini 3.

“I was able to get incredible photos of Morse Reservoir and sunsets,” Schuster said. “That encouraged me to keep going.”

The turning point came when his mother, a real estate agent, asked him to take aerial photos for one of her listings – and insisted on paying him.

“That’s when I realized the potential,” he said. With an interest in construction and homes, he earned his FAA Part 107 license, allowing him to fly commercially and officially launch his business.

From there, Schuster Drone Media took off. He created a website, designed logos, and began working with additional clients, including real estate agents and even a technology company testing lidar tracking capabilities. One of his proudest projects was capturing drone footage for his cousin’s wedding, where he produced a social‑media‑ready video and a 3D model of the couple.

Balancing entrepreneurship with a full high school schedule has been no small feat. In addition to running his business, he has been active in band, indoor percussion, robotics, and National Honor Society.

“It hasn’t been easy,” Schuster said. “But having study hall time and weekends helped me stay on top of schoolwork while still finding time to shoot and edit content.”

The Hamilton Heights community has played a meaningful role in his journey. He recently earned the $1,000 School of Hard Knocks Scholarship from a local company, Aviato, support he plans to use for college or reinvest in his business.

“The community has been amazing,” Schuster added. “Their encouragement means a lot.”

HHHS Principal Whitney Gray, “What Connelly has accomplished is extraordinary. He didn’t wait for opportunity – he created it. Watching one of our students take a passion, develop it into a skill, and then build a business from the ground up is inspiring. We are incredibly proud of his accomplishments and excited to see how he continues to grow as in college and an entrepreneur.”

While Schuster prepares to attend Indiana University Bloomington to study Computer Science in the fall, he plans to continue operating Schuster Drone Media on weekends and breaks – and even expand into the Bloomington real estate market.

“Owning my own business has given me responsibility and optimism for the future,” Schuster pointed out. “I’m confident I’ll find my place in the industry as my business continues to grow.”

His advice to other students dreaming of turning a passion into a business is simple: “Start making connections early. Build something mission‑driven that clients can trust. And find a balance between schoolwork and your passion.”

For Schuster, the motivation is clear every time he launches his drone.

“I love seeing the finished product – and seeing my clients happy with how their house turned out.”