BPA, BEFC Pilots Visit Teeter Totter Village, and
Teeter Totter Students at Ellington Field

As a part of their Black History Month observance, Ms. Claudette Edwards, Director, and Mr. James Tignor coordinated with the Black Pilots of America President, Fred Lewis, to arrange a presentation by members of the Bronze Eagles Flying Club of Texas. Members attending and presenting were: Ms. A. White, Carver Shivers, James Miller, and David L. Alexander II.

The central message of the program -to the students- was that they can do anything they set their minds to do. They must stay in school and be serious about their school work. Ms. A White, born in Gonzales, TX and reputed to be the first Texas African-American woman to receive a private pilot's license shared her experiences and prized photographs with the students. Additionally, President Lewis explained navigation tidbits as he used a hand-held GPS (Global Position Satellite) receiver as a prop. James Miller talked about avionics as he used a pair of pilot headsets; Carver Shivers, the son of a Tuskegee Airmen, shared his experiences as a son of a revered airmen and as a Vietnam veteran; Dave Alexander shared with the students that they must stay in school, heed the teachings and advice of their parents/extended family, and always practicing interacting with other students through positive peer pressure.

The students had numerous questions. One little tyke in particular wanted to know about how to fly "solo." With that, President Lewis arranged with the Director for the students to write essays on aviation. Eight winners will be given airplane rides; others will be treated to a tour of Ellington Field and possibly the Texas Air National Guard through LTC. David L. Alexander, III who pilots an F-16 Fighter.

Other esteemed educators in attendance were Woodrow Wilson, Rodney Evans, and William Crossland, all former highly successful Houston ISD administrators as principals or central office administrators. Afterwards, we were treated to a most delectable meal -served family style. As we mused over our beautiful plaques, it was explained to us that this fine educational establishment does everything in a family-style manner. It was a real treat to share in this most rewarding experience.

At Ellington Field