And they were not shy about talking.

When Rosa arrived at JHS she was taken to Intro to Flight class, where she sat in a flight simulator learning about flying an aircraft. Senior Kameron Milne, a student in the class, provided Rosa with guidance and assistance as she got familiar with the simulated cockpit controls. Once she was settled in, she began her flight – rather flights.

Milne gave her directions, but somehow she veered off course.

She didn’t leave the runway.

Jamestown High School Sophomore Class President Gia Cusimano listens as other students speak to State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa. P-J photo by Michael Zabrodsky

She laughed, and smiled as Milne reset her controls for her to begin her simulated flight again.

And again.

And again.

With Milne’s help and guidance, soon she was on a better flight path, and finally was in the air.

In the class taught by technology teacher Daryl Damcott, the students learn about flying with the use of flight simulators, and by learning to fly drones. Damcott added that with weather cooperating, students will travel to the Jamestown Airport and will participate in discovery flights with Great Lakes Flight Center instructors.

From left, Jamestown High School Senior Kameron Milne gives directions to State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa during her flight simulator session. P-J photo by Michael Zabrodsky

“We have a handful of students who have gone through our Aviation One classes,” Damcott said.

Damcott added that at JHS, the third cohort for Aviation One began in the first semester. In the spring and second semester, JHS will have its first cohort for its Aviation Two class.

Aviation Two builds off the skills and foundations students learned in Aviation One.

“And at this point, every Friday in the class is a simulator day,” Damcott said of the Aviation One class. “They (students) are going through flight simulations, building on those skills, and working towards getting some of their hours logged with those certified (Great Lakes) flight instructors.”

Aside from simulators, Damcott said, as part of the coursework, students learn about the basics of avionics (electronic equipment in an aircraft), theory of flight and the different types of aviation.

From the flight simulator, Rosa went to the JHS Library and met with several students from student government, My Brother’s Keeper, and the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute.

During the session, Rosa listened to different students speak about their goals and aspirations in school and life.

“I think one of the most important things here in Jamestown (High School) is the tradition,” Sophomore Class Co-President Gia Cusimano said to Rosa. “Student Government has always been a major part of JHS.”

Cusimano added that many teachers at JHS are alumni, so they encourage students to continue with keeping school traditions.

“I’m so proud to always hear the voices of what you were talking about – opportunity and access right here and the importance of it,” Rosa said to the students.

Rosa’s tour of schools included learning about some new and existing programs, and having conversations with superintendents and high school students.

“Schools are amazing places where you can actually engage with students, (and) ask some questions. I have to tell you, my aviation situation was not exactly stellar,” Rosa said with a laugh.

With the help of superintendents, and communities, Rosa added, authentic work is being done at schools.

“To me, they’re the real heroes and (s)heroes that are doing authentic work that we need to celebrate and we need to support. Our role is about really providing the mechanism, the road maps to ensure that they have the tools that they need to really prepare our students for a future that some of us can’t even imagine,” Rosa said.

Jamestown Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Kevin Whitaker was grateful for Rosa’s time and interest.

“It was a pleasure to welcome Commissioner Rosa to Jamestown High School as part of her visit to Western New York,” Whitaker said. “Our students and staff involved in our aviation, student government and class leadership, My Brother’s Keeper, and Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute programs were remarkable in demonstrating just a few of the many special things that happen across our district every day. We are deeply grateful for the Commissioner’s time and interest in learning more about the exceptional work happening at Jamestown Public Schools.”