Red Tail Cadets Class Five Honored with Graduation Ceremony at Elite Aviation

By Carmelo Turdo

Six high school students from the Ferguson-Florissant School District were honored as Class Five of the Red Tail Cadet Program during a graduation ceremony held on Thursday evening, July 31, at Elite Aviation. The event marked the culmination of eight weeks of flight training and life skills coaching received as part of their overall Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education. 

The Red Tail Cadet Program Class Five (L-R): Attiona Umana, Yelena Dominguez-Stremmel, Ameria Turner, Laila Williams, Jenae Patterson and Mackenzie Mansaray

The Red Tail Cadet Program is a cooperative effort by the Ferguson-Florissant School District, The Crossing Church, and Elite Aviation among other sponsors to use aviation as a pathway to a STEM career. The program is named for the Red Tails of the 332nd Fighter Group, the first all-black military pilot unit that formed during World War II and popularly known today as the Tuskegee Airmen. The same drive and talent that made the Tuskegee Airmen legendary in war and in peace can be applied by these students in pursuit of their own future goals while participating in the Red Tail Cadet Program.

The evening began with the arrival of Greg Vallero in his AT-6 Texan, which he generously provided as the backdrop for the ceremony. The Texan is similar to those flown by the Tuskegee Airmen during their advanced flight training in World War II, and hundreds remain flying with civilian owners throughout the world. Here we include a sample of the many group photos taken of the Cadets with program founder Pastor Anthony Meyers and the Elite Aviation staff. 

The ceremony began with a series of messages from representatives of the sponsoring organizations who worked tirelessly throughout the year to make the Red Tail Cadet Program possible. Included here are The Crossing Church Pastor Anthony Meyers, Elite Aviation Owner John Tipton and Brandon Mann of the Mann Family Foundation.    

Following the sponsor presentations, the Red Tail Cadets reflected on the program's Six Pillars of Leadership: Honor, Honesty, Legacy, Integrity, Commitment and Respect. Each Red Tail Cadet from Class Five was then awarded a framed graduation certificate along with a Proclamation from St. Louis County, represented here by Spirit of St. Louis Airport Director John Bales, naming July 31, 2025, for each of the Cadets by name.

The Cadets, along with their families and friends, gathered around the aircraft for more photos as the sun set. The Aero Experience thanks Elite Aviation, The Crossing Church and all of the sponsors for supporting the Red Tail Cadet Program again this year!