Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America’s (MHIA) Dream & Soar program is continuing its efforts to encourage more youth to get involved in aviation and other science, technology, engineering, and math fields. MHIA hosted an event on Friday with 1,400 students and faculty at Hurricane High School in Hurricane, West Virginia, providing an opportunity to hear first hand the story of aviation pioneer Barrington Irving.
Irving in 2007 became the youngest person—and the first African American—to fly solo around the world in a single-engine airplane. The Kingston, Jamaica-born pilot, who grew up in Miami, was 23 at the time. His 97-day trek spanned 30,000 miles in a Cessna Corvalis 400 named Inspiration. The trip was designed to inspire youth to follow their dreams. Since then he has remained actively involved in promoting STEM education to students, including working with a “Flying Classroom.”
In Hurricane, Irving outlined his story, related tales of his adventures, and stressed to the students that the opportunities in STEM fields are limitless. “Anything is possible,” he told the students, “no matter where you come from, no matter how much money you have. The opportunities are being created right now and it is so important you take advantage of it.”
The event also included a message from U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia), who has co-chaired the Senate General Aviation Caucus. Manchin stressed to the students that the event is “a big deal, and the subject is critically important.” A pilot himself, he said, ”There is nothing more exhilarating and inspiring,” adding it helped him to overcome his fears.
Manchin also stressed STEM fields are the future. “Equipping the next generation of West Virginians with a STEM education is crucial for our state to remain competitive in today’s global marketplace.”
The students attending the January 19 event are among 18,000 who have participated in the MHIA Dream & Soar program over the past nine years. Organizers are looking to stage their next event in the spring, and are still considering locations.
