ELLINWOOD — America’s Promise, in collaboration with the Great Bend Airport Young Eagles Club, celebrated the end-of-the-year with the Fly Day earlier this year. Four grade school students from Ellinwood have taken part of America’s Promise program throughout the year.
They were Ellinwood Grade School students Jonathan Whisnant, son of Jerod Whisnant, and Dylan White son of Scott and Teri White; St. Joseph School students, Alexander Hammeke, son of Mathew and Amy Hammeke, and KellyAnn Williams, daughter of Bill and Tracy Williams.
"It was awesome. I was nervous all year and didn’t have to be. I would do it again," said KellyAnn Williams. KellyAnn is a 3rd-grader.
The weather was perfect for flying, with sunshine and no wind, and the Fly Day went on without a hitch. The students were introduced to the pilot, taken aboard, buckled in and flown over Great Bend for at least fifteen minutes.
Although she waited at the end of the line for Fly Day, once KellyAnn’s turn came up, a pilot by the name of Roger L. Brining approached her and her family."I have room for five," Brining said. It was an unexpected surprise for the entire family was able to go.
After the plane ride, the young aviators walked away with a Young Eagles Certificate signed by the pilot and the chairman of the Young Eagles Club, actor Harrison Ford.
The certificate states "Let it be known that ‘name of student’ has experienced the true adventure of flight and has become a Young Eagle. This name has been permanently entered in the World’s largest Logbook at the EAA AirVenture Museum in OshKosh, Wis.
Some of the other years’ activities included miniature golfing, gymnastics, bowling, Christmas shopping, a trip to the Cosmosphere, swimming, and horseback riding
America’s Promise is a mentorship program hosted by Barton County Sheriff Department and Community State Bank. Mentors are all ages from high school to adult, and are all volunteers. The program is designed to allow the chosen students to broaden their horizons and meet new people while encouraging confidence to try new things.
"As the year closes, I want to say what a great group of kids we had this year. I want to thank all that helped and a thank-you to the parents for letting your kids share time with us and be part of this," Officer Mark Bretches said. Bretches is the America’s Promise liaison.
"A big thank you to all involved in this wonderful program for all you have done, and cared to do, from all the students and parents," said Tracy Williams, parent. "You are an inspiration."
