Three years ago, Michael Quicello, a retired pilot, and Jim Olson, head of corporate communications at Avelo, reached out to Mrs. Darcy Doyon, JMMS’ principal, Superintendent 40, and some of the admin located in JMMS and proposed the idea of bringing a program to the middle school to give students a chance to learn about aviation. The Avelo program provides important information about the many jobs and the work that goes into a plane taking off. It also may provide early opportunities and access to aviation-related careers.
The inspiration behind establishing this program dates back to when Mr. Quiciello was in high school and told his father, who hadn’t had the opportunity to finish high school, that he wanted to be a pilot. His father replied, “People like us don’t become pilots.” Mr. Quiciello was determined to prove that statement wrong. He graduated from Notre Dame High School and enlisted in the military once he turned 18, became a Marine Corps officer, flew jets, and even taught incoming Marine Corps officers how to fly jets. Later, he became an instructor at Delta Air Lines, eventually led their entire training department, then Vice President at United Airlines, and now Vice President of Avelo. Mr. Quicello is still teaching hundreds of students about aviation. Every semester, he gives lectures to college students at Auburn University on aviation leadership and how to be a captain. His story shows that people with similar backgrounds can achieve anything they set their minds to.
JMMS and the Academy are the only and first middle schools in the Country to be offered this program. In the future, Mr. Quicello and Mr. Olsen hope for other schools across the country to be offered this program. As of right now, the Avelo program comprises sixth, seventh, and eighth-grade students,
one-third being students from the academy and two-thirds being students from JMMS. The limit is 14 to 16 members each grade. The curriculum is about aerodynamics, aviation history, the Wright brothers’ journey, the procedures to flying a plane, and different kinds of jobs that are necessary to prepare a plane for takeoff.
Ms. Baleigh Toon, an eighth-grade science teacher, has been a part of the aviation program since it was established 3 years ago. Her role as a staff member is to plan the monthly meetings, one to two times a month, working with Avelo to plan field trips and opportunities for the students. They go on annual field trips to Florida and Washington, sometimes even overnight. Some activities they do on their field trips are touring Sikorsky, a global aerospace manufacturer particularly known for its helicopters, the New England Air Museum, and experiencing a digital flight simulator. When the school year comes to an end, the students get to fly a four-seater plane with the assistance of a licensed pilot.
If students choose to pursue a career in aviation after middle school and high school, they can go to college to learn about aviation and go to flight school, get a job with an airline, or you can even join the Marine Corps like Michael Quiciello. Avelo Airlines are currently searching for employees in every field needed in aviation. Michael mentioned that they are searching and encouraging more women to enter the aviation field.
