hey Nick. Your plan sounds very similar to what I did. I got my private in high school about 12 years ago at a local FBO when you could still get it on your 16th birthday (mine was a few days after my 16th due to WX). I fly with guys in the airlines that always say they wish they had started doing this when they were younger... so you are off to a great start...

When I was in high school I wanted to go into the airforce, then I changed that to airline pilot, then changed that back to corporate pilot and back and forth about 10 times in college. Once you become a flight instructor you will pretty much realize you can do either one, you just want the one who is going to hire you RIGHT NOW so you can stop flight instructing and start flying the fast stuff ASAP!!!

You'll change your mind a few times (especially as airlines go up and down) but stick with the flight training and you will get to your goal.

You sound like you have a great attitude. Good luck!!!!