AMBITIONS SOAR AT AIRPORT TOUR; AT-RISK TEENS DISCOVER AVIATION OPPORTUNITIES.Byline: Sherry Joe Crosby Daily News Staff Writer After spending Thursday at Van Nuys Airport Van Nuys Airport (IATA: VNY, ICAO: KVNY, FAA LID: VNY) is a public airport located in Van Nuys, California in the San Fernando Valley, within the Los Angeles city limits. inspecting sleek jets and learning about jobs with starting salaries of $20 an hour, Ana Sierra was ready to take off with an aviation career. ``Right now, I'm considering it because of all the money they can get,'' said Sierra, 17, a senior at James Monroe High School James Monroe High School may refer to:
That's exactly the message Van Nuys Airport officials were hoping to send to Sierra and more than 90 other at-risk teens during a tour of the facility. The event was sponsored by the airport and Bridge Focus, a nonprofit Van Nuys organization that provides crisis intervention crisis intervention Psychiatry The counseling of a person suffering from a stressful life event–eg, AIDS, cancer, death, divorce, by providing mental and moral support. See Hotline. , counseling and other services to San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. families and young people at risk of joining gangs or using drugs. ``The whole purpose of the tour is to show them there are jobs here,'' said Stacy Geere, spokeswoman for Van Nuys Airport. ``If they have a desire to work in aviation, there are jobs for them at Van Nuys Airport.'' During the event, an aide to City Councilman Joel Wachs Joel Wachs served for several terms as Los Angeles City Councilman for the 2nd district. He was first elected by defeating incumbent James B. Potter. While in office, Wachs chaired the Public Works Committee and vice-chair of the Environmental Quality & Waste Management announced a new aviation scholarship program and presented Bridge Focus officials with $20,000 for substance abuse, community empowerment, parenting, youth runaway and crisis intervention programs. The daylong day·long adj. Lasting through the whole day. adv. Through the day; all day. Adj. 1. daylong - lasting through an entire day airport tour included a hands-on workshop at the aircraft-mechanics school, an opportunity to climb aboard and view aircraft displays and have lunch in an airfield hangar owned by Clay Lacy, president of Clay Lacy Aviation. The company does aerial photography This article or section may contain original research or unverified claims. Please help Wikipedia by adding references. See the for details. This article has been tagged since September 2007. for television and movie productions. ``It looks good, and it pays good,'' said Alex Elias, 18, during a break in the tour. ``If I start early, I can earn $20 an hour.'' Irene Brennick, director of development for Bridge Focus, said she hopes Thursday's event will lead to a long-term partnership between the airport and the social services social services Noun, pl welfare services provided by local authorities or a state agency for people with particular social needs social services npl → servicios mpl sociales agency. ``To me, (the airport) is wealth and influence, and bringing the kids to the airport shows them that the community cares about them,'' Brennick said. CAPTION(S): 3 photos PHOTO (1) Youths line up to take a look inside a corporate jet during a tour of Van Nuys Airport to show them job opportunities in aviation. (2 -- 3) Ramon Cortez, 15, above, of North Hills tries out the cockpit of a Cessna airplane during the tour organized for at-risk teens from the San Fernando Valley. At left, Yeri Ralda, 18, left, and Edwin Paredes, 18, both of North Hollywood, size up an airplane as part of the outing at Van Nuys Airport. Evan Yee/Daily News |
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