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West Philadelphia Teacher Helps Students Soar, Literally

by Cherri Gregg

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A teacher from West Philadelphia is helping students soar through new, exciting experiences.

It was an unusual field trip for two Philadelphia high school students. The afternoon began with a class on flight safety and a tour of a four-seater Piper aircraft.

"So we're just walking around checking the general condition of the plane," the flight instructor told the students.

The day ended with a rare opportunity to not just fly in a plane, but to actually fly a plane.

"It was cool, until he let me control it," says Keyon McCloud-Holman, 18, "I was scared a little bit."

It was a first for the Ben Franklin High School senior, but's it not the first time he's tried something new. As a sophomore, Holman took up rugby and over the past couple of years he's become an all-star, scoring a full scholarship to college to play the sport.

"It was a tough transition from football," he says, "but I like it."

The transition to flying—not so much.

"It's too much responsibility," says the future accountant, "I think I'll stick to math."

Paul Robeson Junior Shodady Mckenny-Joseph also plays rugby. Born in Haiti he fled with his family after the earthquake. He says he never dreamed of being a pilot but now, he's open to it.

"I really want to try and do this," he says, "I love trying new things and learning new things—I would much rather do that than do nothing."

"I like doing this...I love to see the kids up in the plane," says Larry Conlan, a teacher in Philadelphia public schools. He started the district's rugby program back in 2012, opening doors for many students like Holman. Now he's using the program to give those same kids wings.

"I thought this would be a great way to get kids involved in something that's exciting," he says.

Conlan grew up in Overbrook and his father loved to fly. He wanted to share that same experience with Philadelphia school kids to motivate them and prove sky's the limit.

"I think it gives them something new to look forward to," says Conlan, "knowing one day you can fly - you're going to get up early make sure you do your work because you have this opportunity."

Conlan works alongside fellow teacher and pilot Konrad Lubomyr and pilot and friend John Bullock, who raised the money to pay for the experience for the kids. He says the goal is to create a program in the school with training, flight simulators, and, of course, flying time, to open the world of aviation to kids in Philadelphia's public schools.

"We want to see them increase their attendance, get better grades, work harder in school, and then get in a program where they can be a pilot," he said.

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