The dreams of some New Providence children took flight April 3, with the arrival of a very unique hot air balloon demonstration. Although rain poured on and off during the day, hot air balloon pilots Rebecca and Jerry Elkins were able to continue with their presentation as they partially inflated a hot air balloon for the children of The Academy of Our Lady of Peace to admire inside the gymnasium.Shortly after, Rebecca brought the children together for a presentation on the creative and scientific side of hot air ballooning. The students were able to learn that in order to make your dreams come true, one should know how to be cautious and respectful, be literate, healthy and never abuse drugs.
Rebecca, who was once employed as a teacher, tailors the program to demonstrate how important those skills and traits are for pilots and anyone who wants to pursue a rewarding career.
New Providence is one of 40 schools Rebecca and Jerry will visit in nine states, for an eight-week tour. "As a teacher, I find that aviation has applications across the board to any area of study such as reading, science, health and even creative arts." The couple, who hail from Eureka, Nevada, has been doing this program for 20 years.
The sponsor, Beemster, a producer of premium Dutch cheese, launched the 2009 USA Hot Air Balloon School Tour at no cost to participating schools. Typically, each school assembly would cost roughly $3,000.
School Principal Thomas Berrios was impressed with the professionalism of the company and its dedication to promoting education. "I was disappointed it rained, because it would’ve been great to see the balloon inflated outdoors; but it worked out," Berrios said. "The fact that she (Rebecca) tied everything into what the students are learning is wonderful."
Both Rebecca and Jerry say the job never gets old for them, as they continue to have a passion for hot air balloon piloting. "When I look at the hot air balloons through the eyes of an eight-year-old, it all comes back to me," Rebecca said. "Doing these presentations makes it fresher for me and reminds me of how it was 20 years ago, when I first started."
Rebecca and Jerry are both fully licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). "Hot air balloon pilots have to follow the same set of laws as pilots in the airports because those laws are in place to minimize risk," she said. "These balloons do not have brakes or a steering wheel, so we are subject to the whims of Mother Nature."
In her 20 years of hot air balloon piloting, Rebecca has never been in an accident. The most dangerous situation a hot air balloon pilot can encounter, she said, is a power line strike.
The children, who were able to take a stroll inside the balloon and touch a statue of the Beemster mascot, Betty the blue cow, shared their enthusiasm throughout. "It was exciting to see that you put fire into it and that makes it float," student Michelle Maida said. "It was a lot of fun to walk through the balloon," student Melissa Mahoney said after the presentation.
All the students were led back to their classrooms with a project assigned by Rebecca -- design your own hot air balloon. One student excitedly said he would design one resembling Pikachu, a character from a popular cartoon series, Pokemon.
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