What draws me to Adopt-A-Pilot is the excitement and curiosity of all my students. Their faces light up whenever I visit the classroom. Their parents write to me and pull me aside to tell me what an impact our program has made on their children’s lives. The children’s grades improve; they are more excited to learn; they realize that their dreams are within reach. I am grateful and privileged to be a part of this wonderful Southwest Airlines outreach program. When I first started doing Adopt-A-Pilot, I was hesitant, and yes, even fearful. The thought of an engine fire was less daunting than facing 35 preteen students! Now that I have two years of Adopt-A-Pilot under my belt, I can see that these kids are eager and grateful to learn. As I’ve learned to connect and draw from their excitement, they have given me so much more than I have given them.
Each year of the program, we hold a tie design contest where more than 5,000 creative designs are submitted by students. The winner’s design will be worn by all participating Pilots the following year. As a new Adopt-A-Pilot last year, you can imagine my surprise to hear that the 2013 winner was Jordan Freitas, one of my fifth grade students at St. Rose School in Roseville, CA. I knew that my students were talented and special, but it was still beyond my wildest imagination that one of my kids would win the contest in my very first year volunteering as an Adopted Pilot.
I knew this was a big deal for the winning child, and I wanted to make the event special. I worked closely with OAK Adopt-A-Pilot Ambassador, Wendy Mora, to make sure the event was memorable. Together, with the cooperation of St. Rose School, we planned an assembly for the entire school and parents, keeping the announcement a complete surprise to Jordan. We showed a video that I created for my classes, On the Wing (A Day in the Life of a Pilot), and gave each child a Southwest branded wooden plane. All the details were in place to ensure an unforgettable day.
Needless to say, on the big day, the excitement in the room was palpable as the ceremony started. The students had no idea why the assembly was taking place. I had the pleasure of announcing that Jordan Freitas had won the tie contest. The entire hall roared with excitement, and Jordan was stunned and in a bit of disbelief! She is usually a quiet girl and was amazed at all of the sudden attention. She went up to the podium and was presented with a special framed tie mounted alongside her original drawing. The Pilots up front all did a ceremonial “changing of the ties” to her winning design. Ties were also presented to Jordan’s parents and siblings. Her family was beaming with pride.
The fact that one of my students won the contest last year is simply an added warm-and-fuzzy bonus for me. It is much more exciting that I am making a difference in a child’s life. They have taught me the value of seeing the world through their fresh eyes. I am proud beyond words to be a Southwest Adopt-A-Pilot.