The 11 students who recently received their high school diplomas at Wathen Aviation High School, near Riverside, California, had spent four years in an aviation-rich environment. Founded in 2005 by the Thomas Wathen Foundation, the enrollment rose to 60 in the past year. This fall, the charter school expects to attract 100 students and will be expanding to offer 7th and 8th grade classes for the first time.
The experience of learning on an airport, where planes were taking off and landing, and where several organizations build or restore aircraft, instilled the students with a profound appreciation of aviation, they said. Many plan to pursue careers in some field of aviation.
During the graduation ceremony, each student was given a white silk scarf, signifying the school’s welcome to the world of aviation. This year’s graduating class comprised Friend Deming, Michelle Gomez, Corwin Hoogland, Giovohnne Issacs, Austin Jones, Catherine Monarrez, Jordan Murphree, Daniel Quintana, Johnathan Riehl, Sayra Sanchez, and Shaun Conyers.
The free school is operated by River Springs Charter School. A number of its faculty have had distinguished careers in the field of aviation.
For information: www.Flabob.org or Kathy Rohm at 951-683-2309 ext. 104
