THE sky may very well be the limit at Lannaman’s Preparatory School as the institution celebrates its 50th anniversary with the launch of a new aviation programme poised to help its students soar.

The initiative was unveiled on Thursday, March 12, during the school’s week-long golden anniversary celebrations, when past head boy Rajeev Brown donated equipment and resources to establish Lannaman’s Prep Flight Academy.

The aviation programme includes flight simulation technology that allows students to experience the basics of flying through a Microsoft Flight Simulator set-up equipped with flight controls and computer systems.

Brown, who graduated from the school in 1998, told the Jamaica Observer last Friday that the idea traces back to his childhood dreams while attending the school.

“Ever since I could think, I knew I wanted to do something in aviation. And every day, driving from home, coming to Lannaman’s Prep I would pass Tinson Pen airport and just see airplanes flying, and I kept dreaming that I would do something within that industry,” said Brown who is the chief operating officer at Flying Classroom — an educational organisation which engages more than 3,000 schools across the United States of America.

“We work with students from kindergarten through to 12th grade. We work with more than three million students within the STEM [science, technology, engineering, math] field and, more importantly, aviation. We work with them, we inspire them, we empower them to dream and have a career within this industry.

“I felt that for the 50th anniversary I personally wanted to bring back home a little piece of me — of that success, of that dream — and to show other young students here at Lannaman’s that they too can dream,” added Brown as he underscored that the prep school helped to hone him into who he is today.

Brown told the Observer that the goal is not only to spark interest in piloting but to expose children to the wider opportunities available outside of traditional careers.

“I met a young girl today and she told me that she wants to be a cardiologist, but she was a pilot for Career Day. And she said, ‘You know, maybe I actually want to be a pilot.’ So you never know what could change a student’s trajectory where sometimes you feel something is your passion but there’s another passion out there that you never knew existed. That’s the whole idea of this — it’s not to force them to be a pilot, but just encourage them that whatever they want to do is possible,” he said.

Principal Trudy Hardy, who has led the school for 25 years, said the anniversary carries deep meaning.

“Firstly, celebrating 50 golden years of excellence is very nostalgic for me because I’m a past student of this noble institution. So, it’s very dear and passionate for me because I have seen the growth and development over those years and also the challenges that we have gone through — as well as how we have risen above them — and now, here we are, celebrating this golden year,” said Hardy.

Founded in September 1975 by Marcia DeHaney with just two students, Lannaman’s Prep relocated several times before settling at its current campus on Terrace Avenue in St Andrew. Along the way it has bounced back from several challenges, including a fire that destroyed the institution’s kindergarten classrooms.

DeHaney now serves as a director at the school.

At present Lannaman’s Prep serves approximately 325 students, offering a curriculum that includes core subjects, with its newest addition in aviation studies, and according to Hardy, provides limitless access to extra-curricular activities.

“We excel in all areas: music, dance, speech, and drama. We have entered debates and also [reaped success] in the realm of sports where we have contested and won football championships, and over the years we have also done well in track and field,” she said.

The principal also doted on her students’ academic prowess, noting that many have achieved government scholarships, taking them into secondary education.

As for the school’s future, Hardy said she was excited to welcome the aviation club, and wishes to see the school expanded so that it can host more children.

“It’s a big step to have this flight school at the primary level. We’re happy, proud, and we’re very appreciative. Rajeev promises to hold our hand to get us through the process so that it will take off well. The students are also very excited and interested in aviation.

“As for the future, I would like for us to expand the school, establishing an upstairs component so that we can have a little bit more room to get the student population expanded. And, of course, I wish for us to continue doing well with our curriculum and with our technology programmes, because that’s the way the world is going,” added Hardy.

The week-long anniversary celebrations included a church service, balloon-release event, student games day, a talent and fashion showcase, and culminated with a banquet at Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston last Saturday at which long-serving staff members were saluted.

Marcia DeHaney, who founded Lannaman’s Prep in September 1975 with just two students, displays some of the school’s 50th anniversary merchandise. DeHaney now serves as a director at the school.

Lannaman’s Preparatory School is celebrating it’s 50th anniversary.

Principal Trudy Hardy, who has led Lannaman’s Prep for 25 years, says the 50th anniversary, which the school is now observing, carries deep meaning.