4/5/2009 6:00:00 AM KAOL students take flight for yearbook photo Guardian Air helicopter, crew lends a hand
Courtesy
Kingman Academy Middle School students and faculty form a coyote paw print for a yearbook photograph on March 25.
Courtesy
Kingman Academy Middle School yearbook staffers Sana Khan, Bryce Todriff and Sarah Christiansen sit in the back of a Guardian Air helicopter. The trio flew in the helicopter on March 25 to take an aerial shot of students and faculty forming a coyote paw print for a yearbook photograph.
KINGMAN - Some of the Kingman Academy Middle School yearbook staff got a new perspective on their peers - thanks to Guardian Air.
On March 25, Guardian Air pilot Mike Mickelson took students Sarah Christiansen, Sana Khan and Bryce Todriff with respiratory therapist Pat Alred and flight nurse Jill Swape on a flight above the school. With four cameras, a few with batteries that died mid-flight, the trio took more than 50 pictures to make sure they got a shot for the yearbook in their limited trip.
"Everything turned out great and we got a good picture," Todriff said.
The aerial shot of the students and faculty in formation for the yearbook is an annual tradition, Khan said. This year the students voted to form a coyote paw print, representing the school's coyote mascot.
In past years, the Arizona Department of Public Safety has accommodated the yearbook editors with a helicopter trip to take photographs. Due to budget constraints, DPS notified Kingman Academy Middle School they wouldn't be able to assist this year, Khan said.
"We were all really sad because we wanted to go up for three years," Christiansen said.
That's when Todriff said he had an epiphany. They could turn to Guardian Air and request the ride.
The students were briefed on safety before the stepped on the helicopter. While the flight was less than 10 minutes, the trio exuded enthusiasm about their experience.
"It was phenomenal," Khan said.
The flight crew was friendly and joked with them, Khan said. It helped ease the tension for Khan, who found the experience way different than flying in an airplane.
It was the first time Khan and Christiansen flew in a helicopter.
"I was really scared," Christiansen said.
Both Christiansen and Khan said they got a great view of their classmates, and a look from above of their respective houses.
As eighth-graders, it will be the last time Christiansen and Khan will get the opportunity to fly in a helicopter to take a yearbook photograph for the middle school.
For Todriff, it was his second time flying in a helicopter. He had previously flown with the Arizona Department of Public Safety on a ride-along.
"It was fun," Todriff said.
Todriff will get a shot at a third ride next year, when the seventh-grader said he plans on working as a yearbook editor.
Reader Comments
Posted: Monday, April 06, 2009
Article comment by:
A PARENT
WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH KAOL????? THESE KIDS ARE TAKING PRIDE IN THEIR CITY.MANY OF THEM ARE DOING COMMUNITY SERVICE/VOLLUNTEER WORK ALL OVER THIS CITY.
Posted: Sunday, April 05, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
When will Kingman ever take pride in its city and county? Drive around bird land or butler and see the shame of the city!! County & City officials need to come up with a "stimulas" package that includes charging owners excessive fines for the trash and general filth of their properties! I am talking $2000 for the first offense and increase by $1000 for each and every offense. These fines would not only shape up the neighborhoods, but the money could be put to good use for schools, parks, roads, curbs, gutters, etc. ITS TIME TO PUT A STOP TO THIS TRASH AND GIVE THE CLEAN HOME OWNERS A BREAK! Homeowners who work hard to keep property values higher, don't stand a chance when they live next door to a trash dump! Alot of these homes have no utilities...does anyone care where the raw sewage is going?? GET IT TOGETHER PUBLIC OFFICIALS!! This is a Route 66 town that could have an even greater tourist buck coming its way....if we looked like "An All American Town, instead of the drug infested, transiant town that we are today!
