Red Tail Cadet Program Class Graduation Held at Elite Aviation

By Carmelo Turdo

Six high school students from the Ferguson-Florissant School District were honored as the first graduating class of the Red Tail Cadet Program during a ceremony held on Thursday evening, August 26, at Elite Aviation. The event marked the culmination of nearly six months of practical aviation and life skills training sessions that most recently included flight training at Elite Aviation. The program provided a unique opportunity for these students to explore the aviation field as a part of their overall Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education. It is hoped that this program will be launched in cities across the country in the future.

The Red Tail Cadet Program Class of 2021 (L-R):

Timothy Olmsted, McCluer HS ROTC; Jessica Conner, The Innovation School; Boric Alogavi, McCluer HS; Jayden Bush, McCluer HS; Adam Puder, STEAM Academy MSB; and Derreck Beal, STEAM Academy MSB.

The evening festivities began with the arrival of the rare P-51C Mustang, Tuskegee Airmen, piloted by Kevin Sutterfield. The World War II fighter aircraft represents one of the types flown by the original Tuskegee Airmen and is operated by the Minnesota Wing of the Commemorative Air Force as part of the Rise Above exhibit. Here we show the Mustang as it taxis in to park at center stage, followed by group photos with the Red Tail Cadets and their Elite Aviation flight instructors. 

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 inspiration for the program comes from its namesake, 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.

Below are excerpts from the graduation ceremony:

Greg Holder, Lead Pastor of The Crossing Church

Pastor Holder's brief comments included thanking all who contributed to the success of the Red Tail Cadet Program and introducing John Tipton, owner of Elite Aviation. 

"John has a vision, as many of you do, that you can put pieces together in the community and watch something happen. And so John, now, is one of those people who is helping us put together these partnerships with businesses, schools and students."

John Tipton, Owner of Elite Aviation

"Flying an airplane is just a small part of what these cadets have done. Am I proud of you? With all my heart. And I can tell what you did in this last six weeks [intensive flight training] was not easy. So I congratulate you...Donna and I are both extremely excited about what you've done. We're thankful to be a part of your lives. I hope that you can see that all these people in here want to be a part of what you're doing."

Anthony Meyers, Pastor of Community Development at The Crossing Church

Pastor Meyers asked the Ferguson-Florissant School District to send their "best and brightest" when starting the Red Tail Cadet Program, and the success of the first graduating class shows that they certainly are among the top students.

"Thank you for trusting us enough, trusting the process enough, trusting them [the Cadets] enough, to be a part of this...I tell them it's a blessing and a burden. But it's a good thing to carry. It will change your life, and it should."

Dr. Joseph Davis, Superintendent of the Ferguson-Florissant School District

"Our students can explore a whole new world from the new seat, the pilot's seat, that they all will sit in. The connections our students have made this summer with individuals from different fields and walks of life expand their access and provide opportunities...You've been given an amazing experience and a world of opportunities. For you, even the sky is no longer the limit. Go out, explore, climb high and see what's beyond the arc of the horizon. The world is yearning for young people like you to make the difference. You have the opportunities in front of you and you have a sea of people standing behind you supporting you one hundred percent."

A short break was taken to observe the departure of the P-51C Mustang, Tuskegee Airmen, as it took off to return to it's temporary base at St. Louis Downtown Airport.

G.J. Miller, Boeing T-7A Red Hawk Chief Engineer

MPG: Mission, Purpose, Grit

"These three words are going to guide what is now the start of your journey to the rest of your story...You need to strive to continue to be on a mission...Know your purpose on a team...I've got mission and purpose. The third one, grit... Never give up. More importantly, don't you even allow somebody else to tell you that you cannot do something. Have the grit."

Acknowledgements and Certificates with Anthony Meyers and John Tipton

The following individuals and organizations were recognized for their contributions to the Red Tail Cadet Program:

Pastor Greg Holder, The Crossing Church

Undivided Wealth Management

T

Ferguson-Florissant School District

Spirit of St. Louis Airport

The Boeing Company

Elite Aviation

Mel McKinney, The Crossing Community Development Assistant

The Aero Experience was privileged to report on the milestones of the first Red Tail Cadet class from induction through flight training and graduation. We will continue to support the Red Tail Cadet Program and Elite Aviation as they prepare to receive the next class of students in the coming year. We remain dedicated to promoting outstanding local and regional aviation-centered STEM and youth development programs.