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HomeNewsLocal newsAerospace Summer Camp Gives Students a Taste of a Flying Future

Aerospace Summer Camp Gives Students a Taste of a Flying Future

Myles Homer is eager to take the controls.
Myles Homer is eager to take the controls.

Students from St. Croix and St. Thomas spent a one-week summer camp getting hands-on experience in aviation, lessons that might lead to a career in the field.

The 23 youngsters took part in the Aviation Career Education Academy, provided through the collaboration of the JetBlue Foundation and the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals. The program provides middle and high school youth with exposure to opportunities in aerospace and aviation.

OBAP was organized in 1976 with a mission to inspire excellence and to support, transform, educate and mentor Black Aerospace Professionals. The Summer Camp 2018 on St. Croix, which took place from July 9 through 13, was organized and coordinated through the expertise of Granville “Theo” Smith, Jr.

Smith began working with the OBAP summer camps in 2012 and took over as director in 2016. He was born and raised on St. Thomas and was always encouraged by his parents to follow his dream of a career as an airline pilot.

The camp schedule is intensive, with mornings at 8 a.m. through 4 p.m. in the afternoons. Besides the “nuts and bolts” of the industry, the students are mentored to project confidence and know that anything is truly possible in their lives.

Students work in the hangar.
Students work in the hangar.

“For some of the youth it might be overwhelming to get everything that’s covered in just a week,” said Smith. But they trod forward, knowing that they could be outside during the summer doing absolutely nothing, he said.

Mike Henneman is a Crucian, who had a passion for aviation as a youngster. Through regular mentoring from a local minister, who also was a pilot, and encouragement from his parents, he pursued his dream. Heinemann has been flying with United Airlines for 12 years and continues to volunteer with OBAP.

Not everyone wants to fly a plane. Half of the students at the camp want to be engineers. Some aspire to be mechanics or flight attendants. Others are interested in marketing or teaching.

The goal of the program is to provide access to aviation to everyone. Aerospace is a white, male dominated industry. Fewer than seven percent of the pilots in the industry are women, according to ACE classroom instructor Diana Arias. The percentage is even lower for African Americans and Hispanics.

The OBAP academy includes a lot of classroom work.
The OBAP academy includes a lot of classroom work.

Lionice Webster is a female student at the Educational Complex. She has been in the Tuskegee Airman aviation program for four years at her school. Webster wants to work for NASA and become an astronaut.

“I didn’t think I would have a chance in that career because I’m a female,” Webster said. “Now I have the confidence that I can do anything I want to do with the proper training.”

At the graduation ceremony, pilot Wallace reiterated, “They can do it. They need a support network,” he said, applauding the parents and guardians.

Cylius Gordon is a 13 year-old Elena Christian graduate.

“It was my first flight and I was not frightened,” he said.

ACE flight instructor Lloyd Dyer said, “Gordon is the best I’ve ever seen. He’s a natural and very impressive.”

Flight instructor Lloyd Dyer called 13-year-old Cylius Gordon 'a natural ... the best I've ever seen.'
Flight instructor Lloyd Dyer called 13-year-old Cylius Gordon ‘a natural … the best I’ve ever seen.’

Gordon was recognized for excellence and was given a T190 JetBlue model airplane at graduation.

Smith recognized all of the students as putting their best foot forward, although some students were singled out for awards for outstanding achievement.

André Benjamin and Myles Homer were recognized as the most engaged. Wanya Prentice is leaving the program after graduation to pursue a career in aviation.

“We are looking for a school to get him into a program,” Smith said.

The three students were awarded model airplanes.

All students were given certificates. Many family members were in attendance to congratulate them.

Applications will be available Feb. 1, 2019, for next year’s summer camp. Locations will be announced. Camps alternate each year between St. Croix and St. Thomas.

JetBlue Foundation’s duty director, system operations Tom Lloyd, who was in the territory for the program, said he sees the future of the industry in the ranks of the summer students.

“I am always inspired to see the future of our industry in the young people who attend the OBAP ACE Academies and the other events across the U.S. that are supported by the JetBlue Foundation,” he said. “There is a growing need for pilots, technicians, dispatchers, engineers and many others in the aviation business. We aim to help open doors for young people from all backgrounds to access the education and training they need to embark on these rewarding career paths, and STEM fields in general.”

JetBlue Foundation, Bohlke Airways and UVI were this year’s OBAP ACE Academy sponsors.The students who completed this summer’s program are:

Austin Sterling Jr.
Shamar Hart
Ari-El Joshua
Myles Homer
André Benjamin
Brandon Mc Leish
Alric Francis Jr.
Wanya Prentice
Kalim JnoFinn
Mauricio Francis
Carlan Joseph
Darren Hodge Jr.
Cylius Gordon
Camiela Laudat
Nathan Peterson
Trevhon James
Joshua Maillard
Mauriismo Francis
Jose Rosario
Mikael Royer
Emanuel Roy
Lionice Webster
D’Anthony Colon

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