Students from Marietta High School’s Aeronautics team competed in the first-ever
Oklahoma High School Aviation State Championship held in Broken Arrow on February
20 and 21, placing eighth in the competition.
The team consists of Brice Carlile, William Rutledge, William Watson, Whytnie Watson,
Bailey Lane, and Elizebeth Mote, all of whom were tested on an aviation simulator.
Students also got to spent time at the Tulsa Community College Aviation Center.
“This experience opened my eyes to all the opportunities that are available in aviation,”
said Rutledge. “I’m now actively pursuing my pilot’s license.”
Several other team members also said that the trip to state helped them make future
career choices as well as igniting the desire to return to state next year and place even
higher.
In addition to the team’s success, Aeronautics teacher Erin Hansen was honored as the
Oklahoma High School Aviation State Championship Top Gun Instructor, an award that
recognizes Hansen as the cream of the crop – something her students and colleagues
at MHS have known all along.
“It’s kind of a big deal. I never even dreamed that they would have such an award for an
instructor, or that I would receive it,” said Hansen.
All in all, the first Oklahoma High School Aviation State Championship was a success
on several levels.
“Marietta might be a small town,” said Lane, “but our Marietta Aeronautics team proved
we can compete with anyone in the state.”