It’s not every day that a Black Hawk helicopter lands on your school’s grounds so students at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic School took full advantage of it.
The helicopter landed in Allen Park on the afternoon of May 6 as part of the school’s STEAM Career Day, an event organized by Geri Bond, technology teacher at Cabrini Grade School.
“Our priority today was to introduce students to how STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) is integrated and utilized in the workplace,” Bond said.
The STEAM Career Day at St. Frances Cabrini Grade School included several special guest speakers, such as Jennifer Stefani and John Courtright.
Stefani, a physical therapist, spoke with eighth-grade students about how robotics use artificial intelligence and algorithms to assist her patients in learning how to balance, use their legs and walk.
Courtright, who serves as 24th District Court judge, explained how STEAM is utilized in the judicial system by law enforcement and attorneys. The court serves the cities of Allen Park and Melvindale.
All the information the students received was helpful, but as you might imagine, the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter stole the show. Organizers of the event said the helicopter’s landing was the highlight of Cabrini Career Day.
“We’re thrilled to have retired Lt. Commander Timothy Emerick, U.S. Navy,” said Kelly Stetz, Cabrini Grade School principal.
Emerick graduated from Cabrini Grade School, then went on to graduate from the now-closed Aquinas High School in Southgate.
He worked with officials from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency to land the helicopter on school grounds. Emerick currently serves as an air interdiction agent with the Department of Homeland Security. He retired from the Navy, where he served as a pilot for 23 years.
“As a graduate of Cabrini Catholic School, Mr. Emerick’s perspective is incredibly valuable,” Bond said. “His real life experience helped his sons and our students broaden their appreciation of STEAM; especially when he was able to relate his own experience of sitting in the same classrooms, same pews, and actively participating in the Mass. The opportunities in STEAM careers are limitless and after today Cabrini students are empowered to pursue their dreams.”
The Rev. Timothy Birney, pastor at St. Frances Cabrini Church, said that STEAM Career Day is in keeping with the “CabrINi ReimagINed” vision and initiative, continuing efforts to renew Catholic education by giving Cabrini students unique and innovative opportunities they may not otherwise have experienced.
“Our alumni are working in professions that were not possible 10 years ago,” he said. “Cabrini School is on the cutting edge of preparing students for careers that do not currently exist.”
