HOUSTON, Oct. 24, 2012
/PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Mayor Annise Parker announced a new
collaborative effort to broaden the number of young people who reach for
the stars in careers in aviation and aerospace with the launch of the
Houston Airport System Aviation Club.
"Houston's legacy as a
world leader in aerospace jobs will continue with the development of
this exciting and innovative community outreach to the next generation,"
said Mayor Annise Parker. "By creating the spark in the minds of young
people, we ensure that 'Space City' will continue to change the world as
an economic driver in the aviation and aerospace industries."
Founded
in fall 2012, the Houston Airport System will sponsor the new Aviation
Club at two high school chapters, Sterling High School and Carnegie
Vanguard High School.
Houston Airport System Director of Aviation
Mario C. Diaz had a vision to launch the Aviation Club during the
school year of 2012 in Houston as a means to plant seeds for future
generations to enter aviation and aerospace as a career. Diaz dreamed of
aviation when he was growing up in New York and found early exposure to
the industry to become critical for his career path.
"As a
teenager, I became fascinated with aviation and I enjoy the journey I
experienced as first a pilot and later as an executive for airports in
three major U.S. cities," said Diaz. "My dream is to create a
Houston-based initiative geared to launching the passion for flying in
the next generation of aviators and space pioneers."
During the
two-hour sessions with the Aviation Club, students are meeting on a
monthly basis to participate in learning, enrichment and mentoring
activities.
"Mario Diaz and the Houston Airport System are
serving as catalysts to engage our young men and women in aviation and
generate excitement toward math and science," said Dr. Mark A. Friend,
Dean of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University central region-worldwide
campus.
"This is exactly what our youth need as they mature and
pursue their dreams through higher education," added Dr. Friend. "It is
what our nation needs as we strive to remain on the forefront of
aviation and aerospace."
Numerous community groups accepted
the invitation from the Houston Airport System to participate and
support the new Aviation Club. The list of sponsors includes the
following:
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Texas Southern University
San Jacinto College
Lone Star College
Houston Independent School District (College and Career Readiness)
Sterling High School
Carnegie Vanguard High School
Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership
NASA
Johnson Space Center
City of Houston
"Texas
Southern University is very excited to be part of the initiative to
create the Aviation Club, a workforce pipeline not only for the aviation
field, but also for the STEM fields in general, which are so critical
to our national economy and security," said Dr. Lei Yu, Dean and
Professor of the College of Science and Technology for Texas Southern
University.
One of the ultimate goals of the new program is to
build a new workforce to accept the challenges for tomorrow's aviation
and aerospace jobs. Houston continues to lead the nation in the creation
of new jobs during a difficult economy. The effort to groom students
for a bright future is essential to a strong Houston.
"Today's
students have many career choices but also face many distractions," said
Bob Mitchell, President of the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership.
"The newly-created Aviation Club will assist students in focusing on
some of the most exciting career opportunities available now and in the
future - the fields of aerospace and aviation. The Aviation Club will
serve to engage students in science, technology, engineering, and math,
which is critical if America is to maintain its leadership in space
exploration."
The Aviation Club is expected to be expanded to additional schools in the 2013 school year.
SOURCE Houston Airport System
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