Page 5 - Aerotech News and Review, February 18, 2022

Celebrating an
aerospace hero

to inspire next

generation pioneers

by Larry Grooms cial in that we will have guest speakers on campus
special to Aerotech News to best share with the students the life and legacy
of Joe Walker.”
The school named in memory of legendary test The second event, Community Expo, sched-
pilot Joe Walker will launch a season of events uled from 5 to 7 p.m. on March 17, encourages all
honoring past accomplishments and inspiring fu- past pupils to attend and get a glimpse of what Joe
ture leaders in exploration through Science, Tech- Walker offers today. the Golden Age of Flight Test. Leadership programs , commented, “It has been
nology, Engineering and Math (STEM.} One of those former students, and a keynote pre- “When I try to describe him to the uninitiated I such a pleasure working with the community in
On Feb. 25, Westside Union School District’s senter is Brian Sandberg, who grew up to become often suggest he would have been the first man on
Joe Walker Middle School STEALTH Academy in an Engineering Test Pilot with Lockheed Martin, the moon. He was on the same track as many other bringing this event to fruition. Our steering com-
Quartz Hill, Calif., will celebrate Joe Walker Day, and currently serving as President Elect of the So- would-be astronauts- in fact awarded the moniker mittee started meeting in the fall and consists of
first in the series of educational events centered ciety of Experimental Test Pilots. Aug. 23, 2005. members of the aerospace community, the Walker
around the life and legacy of its namesake. Sandberg recalled, “I attended Joe Walker Sandberg noted that Joe Walker was a charter family, alumni, and teachers, students and admin-
Math instructor and steering committee mem- Middle School from 1986 until 1989, 6th through member of the Society of Experimental Test Pi- istration from the school. “
ber Liz Anderson said, “the vision for activities 8th grades. It is unlikely that I would have stum- lots and,“ a significant enough member of the local She said, “As a test pilot, Joe Walker pushed
was threefold: To better educate the students on bled upon the significance of the school’s name- community to have the school named after him. boundaries and we encourage our students to do
the legacy of Joe Walker, encourage our alumni sake had it not been for our history teacher Mr. Those are big shoes for any young person to fol- the same. We have an acronym posted in our
to celebrate their experience here at Joe Walker, Van (Robert Van Wassenhove 1925-2021). He co- low, and students of JWMS should feel inspired by rooms: F.A.I.L. It means First Attempt In Learn-
and to conclude with a community celebration that ordinated an annual Joe Walker Day where we’d his story. In a twist of fate, 24 years after leaving ing. All of Joe Walker’s flights as an experimental
includes the opening of the time capsule buried at hear from guest speakers and at least once viewed the Antelope Valley I was drawn back by aero- test pilot were about learning. I think that is why
the time of the school’s opening. parts of his appearance on This is Your Life https:// space work and my daughter, Kaylie, attends Joe our school is so exceptional. We have been the first
Anderson added, “Joe Walker Day, Feb. 25, is a www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGdUaspGTfk. Walker STEALTH Academy.” in offering programs to help our students find their
revival of an old school tradition that celebrated the “As an adolescent who knew real live test pilots The closing event at 11 a.m. on April 2 is the passion. Joe Walker was also an active community
life and accomplishments of its namesake. Each through my father, I suppose that Joe didn’t seem school’s 50th Anniversary Dedication Ceremony, member. Our school has a rich history of collabora-
department would have the students participate in especially unique. However, carrying his name celebrating “50 years of Excellence in Education.” tion with our community partners. I have been at
an activity related to their field of discipline. This with me throughout my training and career, I have Steering Committee member Anderson, who Joe Walker for 25 years and I am very honored to
year’s event has evolved into something quite spe- come to respect the contributions he made during also leads in the school’s WEB, VEX Robotics and be part of this moment of our school’s history.”

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