* Peter Pan Jr. performance

Saint Michael Lutheran School will stage two student performances of Disney’s Peter Pan Jr. this month.

The cast includes students from Saint Michael Lutheran School grades 3 – 8. The performances will take place at school at 7 p.m., Thursday, April 21, and Friday, April 22.

Tickets are $10 and will be available at the door.

Saint Michael Lutheran School is at 3595 Broadway, Fort Myers. The performance will take place in the gym.

For more information contact Christy Wenzlaff 939-1218 ext. 233 or email christy.wenzlaff@smlcs.org

* Gulf Middle School

cadets prepare for flight

Civil Air Patrol cadets from the Lee County Schools Cadet Squadron participated in an aerospace education class on airport operations learning that the airport is more than fun and flying, it requires planning and a coordinated effort to keep the planes moving and everyone safe.

Lt. Col. John Hunter, Florida Wing Group 5 Aerospace Education Officer, led the presentation and demonstrated the functions of an airport including hangars, runways, taxiways and ramps and the role of various airport tenants such as the fixed-base operator.

The Gulf Middle School cadets learned the control tower is responsible for the safe movement of all vehicles on the airfield, including taking off and landing. As Hunter explained the different phases of flight, he emphasized the pilot’s responsibility to follow checklists and maintain communication between the airplane and the control tower.

“A pilot must maintain situational awareness at all times,” said Hunter “if you aren’t paying attention you could easily get lost on the airfield.”

Colonel Hunter used a tabletop display of a mock airport called Pegasus Field to walk the cadets through the pilot’s duties. He also used a script of simulated radio communication between an aircraft and the control tower. Cadet Technical Sargent Katherine Grier assisted Hunter by playing the part of the air traffic controller.

The Civil Air Patrol cadet program introduces aviation to thousands of young people each year. Each CAP cadet has several opportunities to fly with a trained orientation pilot in a Civil Air Patrol plane and take control of the airplane to perform basic flight maneuvers.

“Having a better understanding of how an airport operates makes the orientation flights more meaningful” said Hunter.

Colonel Hunter’s approach to teaching captivated the cadets who enthusiastically participated in a question and answer period. The CAP cadet program allows young people to progress at their own pace through a 16-step program including aerospace education, leadership training, physical fitness and moral leadership.

View Colonel Hunter’s aerospace education videos on Group 5 YouTube Channel.

* Student Art Exhibit

Artwork created by elementary and middle school art students in Lee County is on display at the Alliance for the Arts. This 24th annual partnership with the Lee Arts Educators Association gives students a chance to display their work in a formal exhibition. The show features more than 40 schools and hundreds of works in a variety of mediums.

High school work will then be exhibited with an opening reception on Wednesday, April 20, from 5 -7 p.m. and remain on display until April 30. Winners will be selected in several categories and Best in Show will be awarded. Refreshments for the high school reception will be provided by Evan’s Neighborhood Pizza in Fort Myers.

The Alliance galleries are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and are free and open to the public.