Bahamian Students, including Eleutheran,Take Center Stage at International Aviation Summit

Caption: From left to right Elizabeth Vance, Stella Maris Resort, Long Island and Co-Chair- Bahamas Aviation Council; Leonard Stuart, BTO; Patrick Wright, Preston Albury High School, Rock Sound, Eleuthera; Bruce Woodrell, Banyan Air Service; Rhudi Kerr, L.N.Coakley High School; Greg Rolle, BTO; Bill Garghill, Banyan Air Service; Tony Fernandez, Fernandez Bay Village, Cat Island; Tom Horne, AOPA Editor at Large

Out Islands in The Bahamas (Eleuthera, Abaco, Grand Bahama and Exuma), took center stage at the recent Summit of the Aircraft Owners and Pilot's Association AOPA), Tampa, FL, distributing chocks to the aircraft owners and pilots in attendance. 

The students were winners of an art competition with aviation chocks, that was launched by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism's Aviation Department.  Patrick Wright, Preston Albury High School, Rock Sound, represented Eleuthera.

The winning chocks  highlighted the uniqueness of the Out Islands and showcased the diversity of The Islands of The Bahamas.   

 Also distributing chocks and representing The Bahamas at the Summit were Bahamas Gateway FBO's who partnered with TIOTB  in the chocks program; Bahamian Hoteliers, and members of the Bahamas Aviation Council.

Among those receiving uniquely designed chocks at the Conference, was, Craig Fuller, the president of AOPA,  which boasts a membership of 400,000 plus.

From left to right Leonard Stuart, BTO; Thierry Pouille, Air Journey, member Bahamas Aviation Council; Katrina Bradshaw, EAA Director; Greg Rolle, BTO; Elizabeth Vance, Stella Maris Resort and Co-Chair- Bahamas Aviation Council; Tony Fernandez, Fernandez Bay Village, Cat Island.

AOPA President’s Craig Fuller looks on as Tremeice Martin, of St. Francis de Sale Catholic School, Abaco, explains the art work on a chock that she designed.

From left to right Rosalyn Pinder, Grand Bahama BTO; Bill Garghill, Banyan Air Service – Bahamas Gateway FBO;  Greg Rolle, BTO; Eddie Thomas, Sunland High School- Grand Bahama; Tom Hines, AOPA Editor in Chief; Brad Elliott, Showalter Flying Service – Bahamas Gateway FBO; Bruce  Woodrell, Banyan Air Service- Bahamas Gateway FBO.

Rhudi Kerr, a 10th grader at LN Coakley High School, Exuma,  Bahamas, displays a chock that she designed depicting   "The Swimming Pigs" of Big Major Cay, Exuma.  Rhudi's unique work  was done under the tutelage of her art teacher, Mrs. Mary Deveaux.