Monthly Update - October 2022

“One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.” —Arthur Ashe

Hello Everyone, The Mile High Flight Program is ready to launch its 27th year! We’ve made a number of in-person visits to our partner schools and made many new connections as well. Our final stop was at Denver School of Science and Technology, (DSST) Montview. The MHF “Crew” was thrilled by the size of the group and after giving our formal remarks about the Tuskegee Airmen, the “Hooks” Jones Chapter and the Mile High Flight Program, the team answered several questions from an enthusiastic audience. We had similar group sizes at DSST Green Valley and DSST Elevate NE.  This year, our kick-off event will be at the Exploration Of Flight exhibits at the Boeing Blue Skies Gallery at Centennial Airport, on October 15th at 10:00am. We look forward to welcoming new and repeat students into our 2022 - 2023 program. Students should RSVP as soon as possible by clicking here. The Sky’s The Limit! The MHF “Crew”

Honoring the Past & Inspiring the Future

How the Tuskegee Airmen Ended Up at Columbus' Lockbourne ... The Tuskegee Airmen, the roughly 1,000 Black Americans in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, trained in both fighter planes and medium b­ombers. Their increasingly effective aircraft were the P-39 Airacobra, the P-40 Warhawk, the P-47... Read more www.columbusmonthly.com

17-year-old DC teen becomes one of the youngest licensed ... Many kids have dreams of becoming a pilot - but how about achieving your dream at age 17! Christopher Ballinger is among the youngest Black pilots in the country thanks to an Air Force JROTC flight Academy Program. Read more www.fox5dc.com

On the Move!

Mychol Alexander MHF Phase 2 graduate, Mychol Alexander continues to make all the right moves. Under the mentorship of MHF Crew Members (and also FedEx Captains) Newton, Frazier and Searuggs, Air Force Captain Alexander was just hired and will soon begin training at FedEx.  Mychol writes: “I started my flight career in the MHFP in 2001, attending every year until I was old enough and able to solo in 2005. Upon graduating high school in 2006, I attending the United States Air Force Academy, graduating in 2010 and earning a commission and a pilot slot. I went on to fly the C-17, being stationed in Washington state, New Jersey and South Carolina, and completing 3 deployments in the middle east, flying over 3000 hours, and visiting over 80 countries on 5 continents. To date, I just recently transitioned to the Air Force Reserves where I will continue to fly the C-17 out of California and will also begin a new career as a FedEx first officer! -Regards Mike Alexander”.   We’re proud to have helped Mychol chart his path to success and look forward to his future achievements. “Aim High!”

In Their Own Words

“Our family has been a part of the Mile High Flight program for 4 years. When joining the program, as a family, we learned so many different aspects of aviation. This last year has been excited for all of us as Nalani was old enough to try for Phase 2 of the program. The whole experience has been so exciting, not just for her but for our whole family. Watching your child find and love a possible career is so exciting on so many levels. I'm very proud of her accomplishments and so happy to have found your organization. What the Mile High Flight program shows and teaches young students is an amazing opportunity that I wish all middle and high school students could experience. Thank you to the entire Crew.”

Make a Charitable Donation to the MHFP - Click Here

Mile High Flight Program | www.milehighflight.org

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