2024 SOAR Into STEM Fall Session Holds Aviation Career Exploration Fair

By Carmelo Turdo

Wings of Hope hosted a Career Exploration Fair on Saturday morning to close out the Fall SOAR Into STEM Session. Students from around the St. Louis area met directly with representatives from higher education institutions, aviation industry employers and youth development organizations who are working together to address the current aerospace industry workforce shortage. Here we include a look at some of the exhibitors interacting with the students and parents throughout the fair.

Those attending the career fair also participated in some fun activities, including flight simulators, riveting station sponsored by the St. Louis Community College Boeing Pre-Employment Training Program and a photo opportunity provided by Wings of Hope.

The Aero Experience thanks Wings of Hope and all of the participants and sponsors of SOAR Into STEM for providing another highly successful Fall Session. SOAR Into STEM will be held again next year at Wings of Hope in St. Louis and in Washington, MO.  

Twelfth Annual Aviation Trivia Night Team Cup Challenge Benefits St. Louis Service Organizations

By Carmelo Turdo

The Greater St. Louis Business Aviation Association (GSLBAA) held their Twelfth Annual Aviation Trivia Night at Wings of Hope on Saturday, November 2. The event has become a fall staple, attracting teams from the local corporate and air charter operators, flight schools, Civil Air Patrol units and collections of individuals who join together to enjoy a fun evening for a great cause. All proceeds raised from the event sponsors, participant donations and the online silent auction benefit the GSLBAA Education Foundation and Wings of Hope, the global humanitarian nonprofit organization whose mission is "Changing and Saving Lives Through the Power of Aviation." 

The GSLBAA Trivia Event Committee worked hard to provide new material for the ten rounds, with each round containing ten questions relating to a particular theme. Fifteen teams participated this year, and the top five teams achieved 80 or more points out of 100. Round winners were also recognized, and a people's choice centerpiece award was given along with a 50/50 raffle prize. Great food and attendance prizes added to the party atmosphere.

The top scoring teams were:

Winner: Socata Club/Elite Aviation (89)

Second Place: Civil Air Patrol (85)

Third Place (Tied): AVMATS 1 (81) and St. Louis University Aviation (81)

Fourth Place: St. Louis Flying Club (80)

2024 Winner: Socata Club/Elite Aviation

    

2023 Winner: Centene Corporation

2024 Centerpiece Winner: AVMATS

2024 Emcee Jim Georgen

The Aero Experience coverage includes this pictorial review of the GSLBAA Trivia Night event at the Wings of Hope hangar:

The Greater St. Louis Business Aviation Association thanks everyone who participated in this great fundraising event. Special thanks go out to the sponsors, Elite Aviation, Aerotek, Emerson Electric, Honeywell, Centene, Aero Charter, West Star Aviation, Signature Aviation, JetBrokers, Phillips 66, Plane Clean, Spirit of St. Louis Airport and The Aero Experience. GSLBAA welcomes feedback on how to improve the Trivia Night experience, and we look forward to another edition next year!