a publication for the admiral farragut academy community winter 2014 REVEILLE Winter 2014 a word from the director of naval science Reveille is designed to give all members of our community a quick glimpse of what Farragut is today, including highlights of Ready For Takeoff students, alumni, faculty and staff, past and upcoming events, and other important initiatives. “Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.” -- Leonardo Da Vinci Editor Jeff Ogden ‘00 When Da Vinci uttered this remarkable saying, it would Jessica Van Curen be close to 400 years before the Wright Brothers would take man’s first sustained journey into the air. While the Italian genius never experienced the taste of flight as Writer we know it today, he surely understood the true nature of its gift. Chris Girandola My journey into the air began with a dream, much like da Vinci. But once I took off for the first time in a Navy T-34 trainer at NAS Saufley Field in Pensacola, Contributors Florida in 1966, my heart was in the air until my last flight in a Marine AH-1 Cobra Robert J. Fine, Jr. attack helicopter flying over Kenya in a surreal trip chasing elephants, giraffes, Alison Lescarbeau gazelles, and alongside birds of all kinds. During my 32 years of military service, I was fortunate enough to be in the cockpit of nearly every type of Navy and Marine Design aircraft, make over 1,200 carrier arrested landings and command several different Angela Gazabon-Serje ships. Throughout my 4,700 flight hours, I have travelled to hundreds of countries Jessica Van Curen and have set foot on every continent except for Antarctica. During this journey, I have met some amazing people who have shaped my character and given me perspective on life. Flight has been a wonderful experience and I am humbled by its Photography gift and thankful for its presence in my life. Advancement Team Vernon Photography In 1998, I began my second journey in life as the Director of Naval Science at Farragut. I am proud to have worked alongside dedicated instructors while interacting with incredible students who have gone on to do some amazing feats. I Read it? Love it? have realized why students, faculty and staff refer to Farragut as home and family. Tell us your thoughts on this edition of Reveille. Share your The theme of this Reveille issue is Flight, both in a literal and figurative way. In it, stories and pictures with us for you will learn about how Rob Ewing and Jose Hercher are training young men and the next edition. (We reserve women to become pilots through a more advanced Aviation Academy that now the right to edit your letters for includes a partnership with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. You will celebrate length and clarity.) Please email in the brilliance of Farragut and the people it produces while reading the Student Highlights section and the STEM Teacher’s Professional Development page. You [email protected]! will discover the continued growth of Farragut in the story about Kat and Kat in the House. And in our feature piece, you will rejoice in the meaning of “flight” and how Write to Us alumni have taken a journey into life from the catapult launch and returned to the Admiral Farragut Academy flight deck of Farragut -- a place they call home. So fasten your seat belts, sit back, Reveille Winter 2014 and enjoy the flight! 501 Park St N St. Petersburg, FL 33710 CAPT Tom McClelland U.S. Navy (Ret.) Director of Naval Science Printed on 10% recycled paper. 1 table of contents FARRAGUT TODAY 3 Progress 6 Around Campus 8 Fiscal Outcomes 20 Summer Camps 23 Athletics 25 The Arts 26 Foldable Airplane 28 Go Social ALUMNI 29 Giving Back FEATURED STORIES 36 Happenings 37 Class Notes 9 STEM: AN EVER ADVANCING FIELD 42 Taps 15 STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS 48 Farragut Anchor 21 LOWER SCHOOL: WHERE GREATNESS BEGINS 50 Throwback 30 A BLUEJACKET FOR LIFE 33 COMING HOME: THE 2014 VERSION Reveille printed by George Emmanuel ‘88S farragut today Aviation Program Partners with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University ne of the many selling points we offer to prospective families Oare the wide range of academic offerings, including many AP, Honors, and Dual Enrollment courses available in grades 8-12. “It is Farragut’s specialty programs like Aviation that allows our graduates to turn a traditional high school transcript into something that sets them apart from the millions of other college applicants,” explains Headmaster CAPT Robert J. Fine, Jr. Since 1933, Admiral Farragut Academy has prepared cadets for college and beyond, including a vast array of occupations and opportunities. We currently graduate an average of 65 confident and ambitious students each year, empowering them to travel their own road to success. Along the way, it is the core values of our school that guide these young alumni to achieve Aviation student, Sam Wang ‘17, about to take flight at the their dreams. Our Aviation Program Albert Whitted Airport in Downtown St. Petersburg. ” in particular, empowers students with the tools and knowledge necessary to really “shoot for the stars.” In fact, six Quote here It is Farragut’s specialty programs like Aviation that allows our graduates to turn a traditional high school transcript into something that sets them apart from the millions of other college applicants. - Headmaster CAPT Robert J. Fine, Jr. ” 3 progress members of the Class of 2014 offerings mirror the courses from here.” Examples of the plan to earn a type of degree in at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical degree programs at Embry- aviation -- five at Embry-Riddle University. Farragut’s Certified Riddle include Aeronautical Aeronautical University, the Flight Instructor (CFI) since 1998, Science, Aeronautics, #1 rated aviation college in the Rob Ewing, an Embry-Riddle Aerospace Engineering, Air country, and one at Auburn graduate, recently formalized Traffic Management, Aviation University. The experience for an agreement with Embry- Maintenance Science, and these students as they take Riddle to offer exclusive Mechanical Engineering. flight is truly life changing. In “In order to be accepted into the words of our alumnus, Apollo dual enrollment classes to this program, instructors have 16 lunar pilot BGEN Charlie our students making us a to be credentialed and go Duke, Jr. ‘53S, USAF (Ret.), “The feeder program to the famed through a process,” Ewing said. word astronaut did not exist aeronautical school and giving “Because of Mr. Jose Hercher, an while I was at Admiral Farragut our graduates college credit for aviation instructor for 25 years Academy. It was the tools that these courses. at Farragut, and his experience Farragut gave me that allowed with Eastern Airlines as an air me to accomplish goals that had “Embry-Riddle is very selective transport pilot, the process never before been achieved.” on chosing their partners in went smooth and we were Farragut has continued to take education” Ewing said. “It doesn’t accepted and credentialed.” To the Aviation Program to new change what we do in terms complete the process, Ewing heights. Starting in the 8th of training future pilots, but it and Hercher spent three days grade, students may take courses gives Farragut’s Aviation Program at the Daytona Beach campus in Aerospace Engineering and that added prestige. It also gives in training to teach Embry- in 9th grade continue their our students a clearer direction Riddle’s course called AS studies with Aeronautical in terms of choosing what 121: Private Pilot Operations. Science I and II. Here’s where it aviation program they’d like “This course develops the gets good, this year the course to undertake once graduating aeronautical knowledge required Photo caption Every year during our school’s auction fundraiser, families have the opportunity to bid and and win a flight experience with Mr. Ewing. Pictured are students Dylan Rice ‘22 and Hugh Seeley ‘22 about to enjoy their flight. 4 farragut today for certification as a Private Pilot with an Airplane Single Engine Land rating,” said Ewing. Students who take the course at Farragut will earn five college credits. However it is Farragut’s specialty programs like Aviation that allows our graduates to turn a traditional high school transcript into something that sets them apart from the millions of other college applicants. School Campus! “The FAA written examination is one of the steps a student has to complete in order to obtain their pilot license and the course helps them pass this exam,” Ewing said. “It also gives our students a chance to experience a college course with college requirements and college expectations.” Course topics include regulations, safety, pre-solo Aerial view of Boca Ciega Bay during a student’s flight training. operations, cross-country planning, airspace, chart use, communications, weather, performance, weight and balance, aerodynamics, and decision-making. Currently, there are nine students in the dual enrollment program and, depending on which university they choose to attend, it will help to save them money in the future. For example, each credit hour at Embry-Riddle has a rate of $1,280. “In years past, the dual program would have cost a high school $30,000 to participate and now, it’s $1,800 so it’s a much better deal for students and sets us up as a more respectable program,” Ewing said. Students who take Embry-Riddle’s course called AS 121: Private Pilot Operations at Farragut will earn five college credits. 57 around campus Duke University Talent Identification Program (TIP) Due to achieving a qualifying score at or above the 95th percentile on the California Achievement Test or another accepted Standardized Achievement and Abilities Test, the following 4th-7th grade students have qualified for Duke University TIP.