Jessica “Jessie” Seaman is a former homeschooler who was instilled with a love of flying at a very young age by her father who is a private pilot. The fourth child in a family of six, with three brothers and two sisters, Jessie’s earliest memories include going to the airport and watching the planes fly overhead. It was at this time in her life when Jessie determined that someday she would fly too. But her to-do list doesn’t stop there. Believing that she can achieve anything if she puts her mind to it, Jessie’s motto is “The Sky is Just the Beginning.”
When she was 10 years old, Jessie joined the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps. She was one of the youngest cadets to attend and graduate from the Admiral Farragut Navy League Orientation. After that, she went to a one-week advanced training class, which was Basic Airman at the Florida Institute of Technology. It was there that, for the first time, Jessie climbed into the cockpit of a U.S. Navy Helicopter. She remembers the experience well: “As we lifted off of the ground, I will never forget the freedom that I felt. It was an indescribable sensation. We flew over the ocean and I remember seeing the shadows of the sea creatures below. I knew then that this would be only the beginning of what would develop into a passion for me.”
As Jessie grew older, her interests continued to focus on aviation. She regularly visited airports, spoke with pilots, and researched the history of aviation. Although Jessie had been homeschooled for most of her life, as a teenager she had the opportunity to attend an aviation school and she jumped at the chance. Jessie enrolled in the Central Florida Aerospace Academy (CFAA), a career high school located on the Florida Air Museum campus at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Lakeland, Florida. Entering as a sophomore student, she embarked on a career track that would best equip her for Aerospace and Aviation. Being able to fly almost every day, Jessie obtained her Private Pilot’s License at age 17.
The teen pilot is involved with many extra-curricular activities related to aviation. Jessie has been flight commander for the CFAA Civil Air Patrol Squadron Fl-466 and CFAA Junior Class Representative for student government. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the National Nobel Scholars Association. Jessie serves on the board of the Lakeland Aero Club, which is run by student pilots. She shares the history of aviation with visitors at the Florida Air Museum. In addition, Jessie is a volunteer intern with the youth education program for SUN ’n FUN, Inc.
In the Spring of 2012, while volunteering at the annual Lakeland SUN ’n FUN fly-in air show and aviation convention, Jessie was introduced to an accomplished pilot and educator named Judy Rice. Jessie recalls, “When I met Captain Judy, I could tell there was something that was special about her. We shared a common passion, aviation, and the desire to inspire others sharing the message that anything is possible when we dare to reach for our dreams.” Jessie became the International Student Lead for Captain Judy’s Think Global Flight project, an around-the-world adventure in a single engine aircraft promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) education.
Jessie is excited to be working closely with Captain Judy Rice and the Think Global Flight team. Their upcoming mission, which begins in the Fall of 2013, will connect students across the globe through virtual venues called Student Command Centers. Each command center will be connected to the flight via satellite communications and will have weather, flight planning, and international relations components. Students will research, analyze, and report data related to the Think Global Flight throughout the endeavor, working together to provide the technical support required for the crew to circumnavigate the world.
Think Global Flight has no costs or time requirements, thus enabling anyone to participate. Participants will also have an opportunity to experience other cultures as the flight crew transmits their live and videotaped experiences traveling across the globe. Jessie says, “To be able to share the passion of aviation with those across the nation and across the world is something that I consider to be very important. Not only are we bridging the barriers that sometimes separate us, but we are learning to come together to share a common interest. When we do this, we not only learn from each other valuable lessons, but we make a positive impact on our world as a whole.”
Along with Jessie’s desire to fly comes her desire to write. She considers herself to be an aviation journalist who loves to write about anything related to aviation. Jessie was honored to receive awards in several essay contests. She created a website called MastersofFlight.com, dedicated to those who are making a difference in the aviation world today. Jessie has a special place in her heart for children, so she is developing a series of writings and activity books to help teach youth about the basics of aviation. In addition, Jessie is presently involved in a Polk County Community project—aptly called “The Sky is Just the Beginning” — in which she hopes to encourage, inspire, and motivate other students to reach for their dreams.
A Message From Jessie Seaman…
Greetings!!
I am a former homeschooled student that is now in Aerospace Academy following my dream to become a corporate pilot. The reason for my communication today is to tell you about an exciting opportunity that may be of interest to your homeschool group and families. This is an AWESOME, interactive learning experience that is sure not only to expose your students to the exciting world of aviation, but also give them the opportunity to interact with other students all over the world in a safe, productive environment.
THINK GLOBAL FLIGHT is an exciting concept that will teach students about the fascinating world of aviation while teaching them other useful subjects as well. It promotes the importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Education and the boundless opportunities in aviation and aerospace industries worldwide. This international in-flight effort will cultivate and promote a greater awareness and interest in STEM in classrooms by way of an around-the-world flight of adventure taking off in the Fall of 2013.
One of the greatest things about the adventure is that it teaches through hands-on activities and interactive research while learning from other students from around the world. The project truly offers a well-rounded learning experience that will keep your students excited and motivated to learn a multitude of subjects. Who knows, it just may spark the interest of aviation that may someday lead them to become a pilot like I am in the process of doing at this time. 🙂
Basically in a nutshell, this is it: Through a strong network of educators, corporate sponsors, students and pilots, the project involves the journey of a plane that will be flown by educator and pilot Captain Judy Rice. She will be travelling across the world visiting and teaching as she goes. Students will be able to communicate with the Think Global Flight Team during the flight offering valuable input for the success of the mission. The awesome part of the adventure is that YOUR STUDENT will be a very important part of the flight, just short of being there!
Think Global Flight is in the process of setting up “STUDENT COMMAND CENTERS” throughout the world. These “SCCs” as we call them are the life blood of the mission. It will be these students from across the world who will be participating in the project by researching and communicating with Captain Judy and Navigator Fred as they fly from country to country. Students will offer valuable information that will aid in the success of the mission. A command center may be comprised of a group of students put together within your homeschool group like many homeschool groups are now doing, or a single family. It offers a great opportunity for homeschool students to work cohesively together to achieve a goal. THINK GLOBAL FLIGHT welcomes homeschoolers to get involved and recognizes the tremendous potential that they have to offer to the mission.
I am thankful to have been a homeschooled student for the years of my early life. My family made sure that I was exposed to a variety of learning experiences, even travelling outside of the country to be able to learn about other cultures. It was these types of opportunities that motivated me to reach for my dream. I invite you to check out this learning opportunity and discover the excitement of a hands-on learning experience that is truly unique.
Please let me know if you have any questions. I hope to see you and your student join the adventure soon! Oh and did I tell you that registration is FREE!
http://www.thinkglobalflight.org – Our official THINK GLOBAL FLIGHT Website
https://www.facebook.com/ThinkGlobalFlight – Join the adventure on our FACEBOOK PAGE
https://twitter.com/ThinkGlobalFlt – Follow THINK GLOBAL FLIGHT on TWITTER
Warm Regards,
Jessica “Jessie” Seaman
International Lead Student/THINK GLOBAL FLIGHT
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