Rookie Flight Crew Gets Ready to Take off for Another Season

For the third year in a row, the Winthrop Middle School STEM club came face-to-face with a few Celtics celebrities and JetBlue professionals.

Last Wednesday, 30 STEM club students spent some quality time in the classroom and on the basketball court with Celtics center Aron Baynes, Celtics Mascot “Lucky” the Leprechaun, former Celtics player Leon Powe, JetBlue pilot Becca Petro, and several other JetBlue members as they were initiated into the JetBlue Rookie Flight Crew.

This was the kickoff for the 10-week course where the students will have the opportunity to use the STEM skills they’ve learned thus far, to build fully functioning model planes. The program gives students an opportunity to explore aviation careers and learn some of the behind-the-scenes work that goes along with airline professions. Throughout the course, JetBlue Crew members will be visiting the students, offering insight and keeping up with their progress.

“Whatever does not challenge you, does not change you,” said Rosemary McCarthy, Director of the STEM program. “This pretty much sums up what you will experience while you are part of the Rookie Flight Crew.”

Following some classroom time with the Celtics and JetBlue members, students headed to the gymnasium for a Pep Rally to initiate the program. “Lucky” the Leprechaun, along with his crew of tumbling slam dunkers, put on a memorable performance for the Rookie Flight Crew and their fellow classmates, before Celtics players gave motivational speeches.