An afternoon in the air

Times Reporter

 

In March Mayor Steve Grajczyk bought a helicopter ride at the Strathmore for Haiti fundraiser. On June 23 the ride was finally used, just not by Grajczyk. Instead of participating on the ride, which he done many times himself, he decided to share the experience with three Strathmore teens. 

Pilot Matt Haasen of Blue-Con Excavating was out on one of his normal Saturday flights when he picked up the teens. 

Anthony Torrez, Kristina Nielsen and Alexis Rabbitt, all recent graduates, were chosen by their principals to represent their schools on the ride.  

“My principals came up to me and they were just like do you want to go on a helicopter ride with the Mayor. Then they asked me if I wanted to be the one to represent the Grade 12’s and I said sure I would love to,” said Torrez, from Holy Cross Collegiate. 

“I feel very honoured to be representing all my classmates at Holy Cross.”

Nielsen, from Strathmore High School, said she was a little nervous because she is a little scared of heights, but was still excited to go. 

“They said that the award was for students who were struggling but who showed potential, so I didn’t know specifically why me but that was the general idea behind what I was told,” said Rabbitt, also from Strathmore High School.  

The teens went on a 30-minute trip above Strathmore, over to the river, and back.