As part of their Black History Month studies, Wheeler’s sixth-grade students read about two African American airmen, Bessie Coleman and Barrington Irving, who overcame obstacles and persevered to reach their goals to become pilots. Many of the students who participated in Scholastic Action’s writing contest chose to write about Barrington Irving, the youngest pilot and first African American to fly solo around the world.
Christopher Basile, a student in Mrs. Valerie Cassano and Mrs. Cathy Stirrat’s class, has been named a winner in the contest. He received an autographed copy of Mr. Irving’s biography Touch the Sky with a personalized message from the author that read, “Dream, Live, Fly.”
Besides writing to Mr. Irving about his own life, Christopher asked him how he was able to persevere in order to reach his goals in life despite such obstacles as being bullied, living in a crime-ridden area, and facing the hardships associated with flying solo around the world. Reading Touch the Sky answered Christopher’s questions and inspired him to pursue his dreams.
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