Soaring Above The Eagles -KIMBERLY ANYADIKE

KIMBERLY ANYADIKE

Soaring Above the Eagles.

 

There still are many young people who are responsible, gifted, talented, productive  determined, unwavering, and goal oriented.  We want to encourage this generation to push through regardless of  the economic challenges our nation is  facing  or any  personal obstacles they encounter and continue to pursue and  reach towards whatever their goal is!   Isaiah 40 tells us that “we can soar  on wings like eagles” Kimberly actually soared above the eagles.   Determination is a wonderful motivator.   Here is one inspiring youth that did just that!

 

I had never even heard of  Kimberly Anyadike, but I got excited when I heard what she  had accomplished.  Kimberly did not let her age, color nor financial situation deter her from reaching a noteworthy goal.  Kimberly has  persevered against all odds!  Kimberly did not do this for the celebrity status she  said   “I wanted to inspire other kids…”

 

“15-year-old Kimberly Anyadike finished a historical  record-breaking flight across the country, becoming what is believed to be the youngest African-American female to pilot an airplane from coast to coast.” She went from Compton, California to New Newport ,  VA and back.  Accompanied  with  an adult safety pilot and a (87) eighty-seven year old World War II  veteran,  who actually flew with the Tuskegee Airman.  They  both  were there to cheer her on and make sure she made the long journey safely.  Kimberly goal was also to honor the many Tuskegee Airmen she met along the way.

 

Kimberly acquired her flight skills to navigate both an airplane and a helicopter from:  Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum in Compton.  Founder  Robin  Petgrave   is an experienced,  accomplished  master pilot .  Robin has many accomplishments, he has a wonderful   relationship  and  rapport with the children. He is  so gifted at his craft that he can  actually land a helicopter on a “dime.” It is  here Kimberly learned to soar  and  participated in an after-school program   that offers flight lessons to many underprivileged children and at risk children.  

 

They have  a  fantastic  unbelievable  program here! They offer positive  alternatives  to drugs, violence, gangs,  and destructive behaviors.  The  children, youth and young adults  learn and acquire a multiplicity of engineering , flight and  business skills throughout  the program as well. They have children of all Colors from all walks of life! Many others are learning to soar,  they have capable  licensed pilots as young as (11) eleven years old. Here they are learning ,  lives are being changed  and they are  making a difference!

 

Their goal is to change communities and help children one at a time.  They provide children a place off the streets.  At the Tomorrow Aeronautical Museum  they are known as “Aviation Angels.”  Here Kimberly was motivated,  she  also learned that the Tuskegee Airmen were told that they did not have the necessary intelligence or skill set to become Airmen.     But  history  tells us otherwise.  Their pictures are pasted throughout the museum. Kimberly says  “They left such a great legacy,” she said. “I had big shoes to fill. All they wanted to do was to be patriots for this country. They were told no, that they were stupid, that they didn’t have cognitive development to fly planes. They didn’t listen. They just did what they wanted to do.”

 

Kimberly made many people proud of her. She represents a growing crowd of determined youth!  It pays not to listen when you know that your goal is to be fruitful,  productive and the outcome will be beneficial to many. The Tuskegee Airmen efforts  made many years ago helped to encourage Kimberly as well as is continuing to encourage many others.  During her amazing trek  across the country Kimberly also made (13) stops .  Those stops were to meet  many of the Tuskegee Airmen who are still alive! There are a growing number of children  that are gifted, talented, responsible and determined.  Kimberly Anyadike is certainly one.  We salute you Kimberly keep up the good work!  You are  inspiring and a wonderful role model for us all. You certainly are a true “Aviation Angel!”