Pilot Herb Lewis' Class Makes AAP History with their OWN Flying Field Trip
Have you ever heard of "blue sky thinking" -- the kind of ambitious dreaming that leads to great adventures? Well that's the kind of thinking that propelled "Adopted" Pilot Herb Lewis, teacher Sharlene Duerkson and their class at Valley View Elementary to plan a flying field trip of their own. Herb has volunteered in Adopt-A-Pilot for more than nine years, and he has worked with Sharlene for more than five years. Last year they began asking themselves, "What if we could plan our own flying field trip...?"
To make it happen, here's what they planned:
Fundraisers - Plant sales, candy sales, silent auction, solicitation of businesses, sponsors for Geography Bowl, running a booth at the school carnival
Parental Involvement - Monthly parent meetings and involvement in fundraisers
Educational Focus - Adopt-A-Pilot curriculum, history of flight, preparing for their class' Geography Bowl
Field Trip Activities to Include - Boeing Plant Tour, Future of Flight Gallery, Aviation Learning Center, Museum of Flight
All their organization and hard work finally came together in April. The class earned the funds necessary for the trip and enjoyed an unforgettable day learning, laughing, and making memories. Wearing Adopt-A-Pilot T-shirts they had printed, they took off on Southwest Airlines' Spirit of Hope plane and arrived ready to explore aviation's history, current technology, and future. When they returned home, it was onboard Southwest Airlines' plane bearing the Adopt-A-Pilot logo (a special plane dedicated to Adopt-A-Pilot during the 10th Anniversary celebration last year).
Congratulations to the Valley View class, Pilot Herb Lewis and teacher Sharlene Duerkson for making Adopt-A-Pilot history with this 737-sized field trip. They are just another example of Adopt-A-Pilot classes proving the "sky's the limit" when it comes to reaching dreams -- now, and in the future.
