Education through aviation

ama news ama news ama news ama news ama news ama news ama news ama news ama news ama news ama news ama news 158 Model Aviation June 2012 www.ModelAviation.com
Yogi got it—most
of the time. There
are people who—
if it means you
have to explain
it—aren’t listening.
Fortunately, that
can’t be said
about many of the
people we deal with in the Education
Department of your AMA!
To begin this month, I would like to
pick up from last month’s report about
April leaving our department to become
the director of human resources. Again,
we wish her all the best and know she’ll
do a great job.
After reviewing more than 175
applications, it’s my pleasure to
introduce you to our new coordinator
of educational programs, Jessy Symmes.
She started on a Monday, and three
days later found herself thrown into
the middle of the National Science
Teacher Association’s (NSTA) annual
convention. Not only did Jessy speak
and work well with everyone visiting
our booth, she had also taken it upon
herself to become well versed in our
programs and educational offerings—on
her own. Sorry, Yogi, I didn’t even have
to tell her to!
Jessy will be handling our
scholarships, Camp AMA, Model
Aviation Student Clubs, Civil Air Patrol
relations, Take off And Grow, individual
and AMA club outreach support, and
partner relations. So, after many years of
looking forward to April answering your
call, introduce yourself to Jessy!
Club outreach is a huge deal for us. We
know that many clubs do this regularly,
and we applaud the efforts. Keep those
reports coming in!
In the coming months, you will see
additional inventory of activities for
clubs on our website, which will assist
with outreach. When this takes place,
you never know where it will lead or
how your efforts may impact a child.
Here’s a letter that’s worth reading;
more than once.
Wendy, second from the left, was
obviously impressed by her flying
success and the competition and fun it
provided. You could provide the same.
Ask your fellow club members and see
who might be willing to approach a
school regarding model aviation. We’re
here to help and support your efforts
in any way possible—and, you’ll get to
meet Jessy!
This student was touched by model
aviation through the dedicated efforts
of Charles Mackey and the Hemet
Model Masters Club, located in San
Jacinto, California. This club isn’t out
there doing this for the recognition.
Club members are reaching out because
it’s not only important, it’s fun and
rewarding!
We’re in the process
of developing a
comprehensive resource
for model aviation that
will address individual
needs, clubs, and
provide easy access
to our growing list of
partners. “Education
through Aviation” is our
motto, and AMA Flight
School will reflect that
to our membership as
well as those interested
in delivering model
aviation-based activities
to the classroom.
The AMA has plenty
of resources; we hope to
make them easier to find
and use.
By the time you read
this, our fourth issue of
the youth newsletter
should have gone out.
We’re pleased to be able
to provide this to our
more than 20,000 youth
members.
On April 4, 2012, we crossed that
big line with 20,023 youth members!
If you would like to receive this
newsletter—or share it with a young
person you know—go to our website,
www.modelaircraft.org, and click on
education.
We owe much to many for the
accomplishment of crossing 20,000
youth members, but mostly to those of
you who help share the