Blue Angel Lt. Cmdr. Amanda Lee visited with Shelton Park Elementary School fourth and fifth graders hours before she took to the skies Sept. 20 during the Naval Air Station Oceana Air Show.
Fifth grader Kaitlyn Kurrle introduced the school’s special guest during an assembly: “In case you didn’t know, Lt. Cmdr. Amanda Lee is the Taylor Swift of aviation.”
Kaitlyn’s father, Robert Kurrle, served as a Blue Angel 2010-11 and connected principal Tara Brewer with Lee.
“Lt. Cmdr. Lee is the first woman selected to be a demonstration pilot for the Blue Angels,” Brewer told the students.
Lee thanked them for the warm welcome and asked, “How many of you are part of a military family?” Lots of hands went up.
They watched a video about the Blue Angels, a team of active duty sailors and marines who perform aerobatics with F/A-18 Super Hornet and C-130J Super Hercules aircraft.
Formed in 1946, the Blue Angels “inspires a culture of excellence and service to country,” the video explained. A Blue Angels performance was compared to “a carefully practiced ballet.”
Lee said she’s honored to be part of the team. Teamwork is very important, she said. She credited the many behind-the-scenes people, including those in medical, public affairs and maintenance, who work together to safely perform 32 times per year.
“We could not do this show without our Blue Angels family.”
The job entails having a positive attitude and a willingness to learn. The philosophy is to always “give it your best effort,” she said. “We try to be better every single day, every single flight.”
The students asked lots of questions, including “What is the most difficult trick to execute during a Blue Angels performance?” Her answer: the “double farvel.” That’s when the plane rolls upside down and flies inverted. “It’s challenging and rewarding,” she said.
Students also wanted to know what it’s like to be a Blue Angel. “You need mental focus to fly and it takes a lot of energy,” she said.
“What’s your favorite part about being a Blue Angel?” a student asked. “The people!” Lee answered.
They were also curious about how Lee knew she wanted to be a pilot.
Lee said it’s OK to not know. At first, she thought about becoming an orthodontist, then a doctor. She joined the Navy in 2007 and worked in maintenance before becoming a pilot. “Just give 110% no matter what you are doing,” she said
About 75% of Shelton Park’s students are military-connected.
Kaitlyn said her dad learned a lot from being a Blue Angel. “He always told me to be kind and always believed in me,” she said.
Both Alana Williams and Davion Thomas’ fathers are in the Navy. The fifth graders thought it was cool Kaitlyn’s father was part of the famous aviation team.
“Being a Blue Angel is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Alana said.
“It was cool to hear about all the different ways to fly a jet,” Davion said.
Later in the day, Shelton Park fifth graders joined other VBCPS fifth graders at the Air Show.
The students cheered as they witnessed the impressive aircraft in action, their principal said.
“Having the opportunity to connect with Lt. Cmdr. Lee, who plays a pivotal role in the Navy, made the air show even more special for them,” she said. “It’s a memory they will have for a lifetime.”