Flying high: Perry, McKinley JROTC students get ride in CH-47 Chinook helicopter
PERRY TWP. – Logan Poling was flying high Thursday afternoon.
He was among nearly 50 Junior ROTC students from Perry and McKinley high schools who jumped a ride on a CH-47 Chinook military helicopter.
"It was really exciting," the 15-year-old said.
Like many of his peers, it was the first time Poling had taken to the air. Some had experience on airplanes but most never had stepped foot on a helicopter.
Poling who has plans to go into the military has dreams of flying aircraft someday.
"It was really an amazing experience," he added.
Col. Patrick Grow, Perry JROTC instructor, said this is the first time students had a chance to participate in the unique experience.
"I was thinking about the mission of the JROTC and the school's mission to prepare our students for a job outside of high school," the colonel explained. "It's not about a military career but rather we are making citizens and figuring out what they will do in five or 10 years."
Leading up to the flights, the students discussed the different types of jobs that could be involved with the helicopter, including air traffic control, mechanics, engineering and piloting. They also talked about physics and Bernoulli's Principle.
Grow hoped the examination of the jobs and how the helicopter operates would expand the students' job prospects.
A Chinook helicopter from Ohio National Guard's 3rd Battalion, 238th Aviation Regiment based in North Canton landed behind Perry High School. Sgt. 1st Class Derek Seavers, a flight instructor and 1999 Perry grad, was among the helicopter crew.
Seavers and his crew often give rides to groups such as college ROTC groups, but this was the first time it was a high school group and it was pretty special that it was his alma mater.
"When I heard it was Perry, I jumped on it," he said. Seavers reminded students his career started at Perry.
The CH-47 Chinook is 100 feet tip to tip, has 30-foot blades and can carry 32 fully equipped troops, as well as cargo. It travels a maximum of 165 mph.
Seavers introduced the other crew noting some of them were full time with the guard while others were part time and had full-time jobs such as firefighters.
Another Perry grad, Sgt. Trevor Clere, also was among the flight crew. He graduated in 2012.
Each member of the team had different jobs while on the aircraft.
Perry senior Delaney McNickle couldn't wait to get on the helicopter. Her excitement was contagious as she bounced up and down as she awaited her turn on the third and final flight.
McNickle, a third-year member of the JROTC, has plans to attend the University of Akron and pursue a degree in nursing. While in college, she will participate in the ROTC and graduate with a four-year degree and as an officer. She will enlist after graduation.
"It's fun to see everyone so excited to get this opportunity," the 17-year-old said. "It's the coolest thing we've had at Perry in a long time. It's a great learning experience. We've been able to talk about STEM and that's something that is not always discussed enough."
The experience has Perry junior Macie Hall thinking about a career change. She'd never really considered air travel as a career but after the ride she was hooked.
"The guy who got to travel halfway out (of the helicopter), that job seemed kind of cool," she laughed.
The 17-year-old hopes to enlist with the National Guard Air Force after graduation.
Grow would like the Chinook crew to return for more rides, providing the experience to more students, including those medical students in the career-tech program.
"I want to get the kids thinking about something different," he said. "Sometimes you need to get out of the classroom and get hands-on."
Reach Amy at 330-775-1135 or amy.knapp@indeonline.com.
This article originally appeared on The Independent: Perry, McKinley JROTC fly in CH-47 Chinook helicopter
