MHFP Quarterly Update - January 2025 | |
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“None of us can change our yesterdays but all of us can change our tomorrows.”
— Colin Powell
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Hello MHF Students and Supporters
As we come to the end of another great year, we have much to be grateful for. We have a wonderful group of students, supportive parents, an engaged team of mentors and, of course, the encouragement of our local Tuskegee Airmen chapter, that makes it all possible.
The Mile High Flight program continues to demonstrate resilience and flexibility, as we’ve had to reschedule and reorganize some of our events, due to host availability. Thanks to the quick work of our IT leader, Nicole Frazier, those changes were accomplished with minimal disruption.
Our MHF “Crew” had an opportunity to brief chapter members on some key milestones in recent months. Two areas we’ve seen growth in are: mentorship and the Power of Connections, which we’ll showcase later in this update. As we reflect on our accomplishments, we extend our deepest gratitude to the MHF Crew, our sponsors, donors, supportive parents, and most importantly, our incredible students. Your dedication, encouragement, and commitment fuel our mission and make these achievements possible. Together, we continue to soar to new heights, honoring the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen and inspiring the next generation of leaders.
Tailwinds,
Captain Mosley and the Mile High Flight "Crew"
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Soaring Beyond Limits - MHF Events | |
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Wings Over the Rockies - 10/18/24
Our kick-off meeting at the Wings Over the Rockies Museum was an unforgettable start to an exciting year! Surrounded by aviation history and inspiration, attendees shared ideas, networked, and set the tone for the incredible journey ahead. A special thank you goes out to the Masons of Mount Evans Lodge #7 for their unwavering support and generous donation—your contributions make a tremendous impact! We also extend a heartfelt shout-out to the attendees from the HLHJ Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, whose presence and legacy continue to inspire us all. Together, we’re ready to make this year one for the record books!
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Aspen Flying Club (Centennial Airport) - 11/16/24
Our visit to Centennial Airport’s Aspen Flying Club was a soaring success! Students had the opportunity to explore one of the nation’s busiest general aviation airports, gaining valuable insights into flight training and flight line operations. Highlights included a hands-on “walk-around” preflight inspection of an aircraft and engaging discussions with pilots who shared their expertise and answered questions about pursuing aviation careers. The event offered a firsthand look at the journey from aspiring aviator to licensed pilot, inspiring all who attended to take their dreams to new heights!
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United Airlines Maintenance Facility - 12/21/24
The United Airlines Maintenance Facility at DIA hosted an outstanding event, drawing a full house of enthusiastic students eager to explore careers as maintenance technicians. The conference room buzzed with energy as students engaged with United maintenance personnel, who shared their expertise and experiences. Representatives from Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology and DIA’s Center of Equity and Excellence also enriched the event, offering invaluable insights and clear pathways to success in the aviation industry.
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Honoring a Trailblazer: LTC John Mosley | |
In a powerful tribute to perseverance and excellence, Tuskegee Airman and Colorado State University alum LTC John Mosley has been honored with the retirement of his #14 jersey. As one of CSU’s first Black football players and a pioneering member of the Tuskegee Airmen, LTC Mosley broke barriers both on the field and in the skies. This moment celebrates his incredible legacy and the lasting impact he has had on history and future generations. Congratulations to Captain Eric Mosley and his family! | |
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Mychol Alexander
Major Mychol Alexander was a MHF “Phase 2” solo flight grad in 2004. He went on to attend the United States Air Force Academy and earn his silver wings, flying around the world as a C-17 pilot. Living his dream, he was hired by cargo giant FedEx. Seeking different domicile opportunities, Mychol decided to interview with United Airlines and was recently hired. He’ll start his training in February 2025.
His work as one of our MHF “Crew” makes a huge impact in the lives of our students, and we couldn’t be more proud to have him as one of the team.
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Saluting Excellence & Impact | |
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Hamid Seid
We’re forever grateful for the continued support of our MHF friends. Owl Canyon provided us with a “FAST PLUS” scholarship. FAST+ provides the recipient with three glider lessons and additional perks as well. We selected MHF student Hamid Seid to receive this opportunity. Hamid wrote to describe his experience with MHF:
“The Mile High Flight Program has greatly helped to further fuel my passion for aviation through the tours that we went through this year and sights we saw… I would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in aviation, and even some who aren't, because this program can easily light a flame and passion leading to an amazing career ahead for students.”
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Mark Reese
2010 MHF “Phase 2” solo flight graduate Mark Reese is keeping busy as a Boeing 777 First Officer, an active member of OBAP (Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals) and as one of our MHF “Crew”.
Mark let us know about the “Explore Aerospace” program that he founded. It’s designed to teach 6-12th graders via Zoom, about various aviation and aerospace topics. This semester is focused on giving students an introduction into aviation maintenance. The program will help prepare them to eventually pursue advanced certificates or ratings! They have a total of 4 courses and won a $180K FAA grant, to convert the program into an iPad downloadable format. Read more about Mark’s Explore Aerospace program at: https://obap.org/explore-aerospace/
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Paying it Forward - The Power of Connections | |
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…“I know a guy”…
Recently, one of our Crewmembers had an opportunity to participate in a leadership forum at Colorado State University. At its conclusion, he was approached by an excited student, who has a passion for the aviation industry in general and a desire to work in management for Delta Airlines in particular.
Our Crewmember confessed that he was neither a manager, nor did he work for Delta, BUT “he knew a guy!” Enter, 2007 MHF “Phase 2” solo flight graduate Jamar Harrison. Jamar recently sent us this update:
"I am here because of the courage of the Tuskegee Airmen. From a historical lens, their heroism paved the way for Black aviators to gain respect and enabled pathways for many to pursue careers in the aviation industry. I have committed to honoring their legacy by creating space for others in aviation, in the same way they did for me. The Tuskegee Airmen made an everlasting impression on my life! "
Thank you, Delta Air Lines, for allowing me to honor those American heroes!”
In what can only be described as serendipitous, we were able to connect our eager CSU student with Jamar, and a promising mentor relationship has begun.
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We continue to grow the mentorship aspect of the Mile High Flight program. After our students “graduate”, they’re encouraged to use the resources our Crewmembers offer. With combined professional experiences of hundreds of years, this resource can be invaluable.
2024 “Phase 2” solo flight graduate Kelsy Palacio discovered this recently, when she asked one of our Crew to write a letter of recommendation to Florida Tech, where she plans to earn her flight ratings and certificates over the next 4 years. Kelsy was just informed that she will receive a scholarship, worth $56,000! We’ll continue to keep you posted on her progress. We know that she’ll make us proud. Never Quit, Kelsy…Expect To Win!
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One of the greatest rewards we receive, are the occasional letters of appreciation from students and parents. The letter from current MHF student Shabnam Abdullai was particularly moving. She writes:
Hello Mile High Flight “Crew”,
"I was born in Afghanistan, in a small rural village where women's dreams were often silenced. Growing up, I faced unimaginable threats and violence, stripping me of a conventional childhood. As a woman of color, I continue to navigate a world filled with obstacles. Despite being told that aviation is 'not for women,' I remain undeterred. The doubts and discouragement only fuel my unrelenting passion to shatter stereotypes and create a more inclusive world. My experiences, identities, and love for flight converge to drive my pursuit of aviation. In a male-dominated industry, I refuse to let gender be a barrier. Instead, I'm determined to pave the way for others, proving that passion and resilience can overcome even the most daunting challenges. To every woman facing similar obstacles, let’s collectively rise above the noise and make our mark on the world. Thank you.”
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From one of our parents:
“From the very first orientation meeting, everything and everyone exuded professionalism, genuine heartfelt care, and an unwavering commitment to every student. The program was explained in detail, meaning, there were no surprises along the way. Every event was planned down to every detail and executed without flaw. The events were highly engaging, instructive, and allowed the students the opportunity to see and experience what would otherwise not be accessible to them. Communication was flawless. I cannot identify one aspect that could be improved upon. Thank you for this outstanding program, and most importantly, the sacrifice the entire "crew" makes at the MHFP - You make everyone proud.
The MHFP crew did their fair share of answering many questions. However, I think the thing they did best was inspiring students! All of their stories are really inspiring and I loved listening to all of their unique stories”. - Joan Shearer
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Colorado GIves Day
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to our Colorado Gives Day campaign! Your donations play a crucial role in helping us continue to provide impactful programs and opportunities for our students. We are deeply grateful for your support, and it’s because of caring individuals like you that we can continue honoring the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen while inspiring the next generation of leaders. Thank you for helping us soar to new heights!
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On the Radar: Key Information | |
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Apply for the Tuskegee Airmen Scholarships!
The Tuskegee Airmen Scholarship Foundation (TASF) is offering scholarship opportunities to high school seniors with a passion for aviation, aerospace, STEM, or other fields. With awards of $1,500 each, these scholarships are a fantastic way to support your educational journey. If you're a Colorado high school student graduating in the 2024-2025 school year with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, you could be eligible! Additionally, the HLHJ Chapter is awarding up to five $2,000 scholarships. Don't miss out—apply by January 27, 2025, and take a step toward achieving your dreams in these exciting fields.
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Help Us Soar on Social Media
We’re looking for social media enthusiasts to join our team and help spread the word about all the amazing things happening at the AAYLC! Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just love sharing great content, we need your creativity and energy to amplify our message. Your posts could inspire the next generation of leaders, keep our community informed, and help grow our impact. Ready to be part of something special? Join us and let’s take our social media presence to new heights! If you are interested, please contact Nicole Frazier nicole.mhfp@gmail.com
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Make a Charitable Donation to the MHFP - Click Here
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