Aviation Day at Roxbury High School
- Roxbury Township School District
- 19 hours ago
- 2 min read
Aviation Day Brings Students Together to Explore Careers at Roxbury High School
Eight Schools and 150 Students Participate in Drone Challenges and Aviation Career Fair
Roxbury, NJ – Roxbury High School hosted students from eight New Jersey high schools for Aviation Day, a hands-on program designed to introduce students to careers in aviation, connect students with peers in other aviation programs, and provide exposure to training and internship opportunities in the field.
Organized by Roxbury High School in partnership with Morris Hills Regional District, the event brought together approximately 150 high school students from Roxbury, Morris Hills, Boonton, Hoboken, Manville, Morris Knolls, Mountain Lakes, Franklin Township, and academy students.
"Programs like Aviation Day are about opening doors and giving students real exposure to an industry that offers strong career pathways and critical workforce needs," said Keith Bigora, Supervisor of Career and Technical Education for Morris Hills Regional District. "By bringing schools and industry partners together, we're helping students explore what's possible."
Students participated in a drone obstacle course and flight simulations, followed by an aviation career fair featuring nearly 20 organizations. Participants connected with industry professionals and completed a “passport” activity for a chance to win one of nine free introductory flights donated by local aviation organizations.
"Aviation Day brings learning to life,” said Kristin Mongelli, Supervisor of Science, Visual Arts, and Engineering, Design, and Technology for the Roxbury Township School District. "We're proud to host this event and give students the chance to apply what they learn in the classroom and start seeing themselves in these careers."
During lunch, students heard from Anna Stanaback, an admissions recruiter for Pennsylvania College of Technology, which offers a range of aviation programs.
The day concluded with the ribbon cutting ceremony for the donation of a Cessna 150 by John Merizier and Todd Parks of Cloudscape Adventures, LLC to Roxbury High School. After the aircraft experienced an engine failure in Bryce Canyon, Utah, the owners chose to donate rather than repair it, giving it a second life in education. Students will use the aircraft to practice preflight inspections, learn flight controls, and study aircraft systems, including engine operations.
Introductory flights were donated by Air Fleet (Caldwell), American Flyers (Morristown), Liftoff Pilot Academy (Lincoln Park), Jersey Ridge Soaring & Aero Club Albatross (Blairstown), and Orlandi Flight Center (Blairstown).
Roxbury Public Schools would like to thank those who were instrumental in supporting the day’s program: Dr. Frank Santora and the Roxbury Board of Education; the Roxbury Administration including Principal Mr. William Crispino; Morris County Vocational School of Technology; Assemblyman Michael Inganamort; Roxbury Town Council; John Shortino; Andrew Bieler and Wright Wrench Aviation; John Harrington from Harrington & Sons Contracting; and Frank Hunkele from Sparta Redi-Mix.
