By Arden Carlyle, Staff Writer

First Flight students and staff hope to see normality in the 2021-2022 school year as COVID-19 has brought many challenges, disappointments and setbacks to the school system. 

Chuck Lansing, principal at First Flight High School, made the decision to implement a Student Engagement Coordinator position that would help alleviate his concerns regarding student engagement now that students are back in school full-time. 

“We were basically out of school for two years and during that time people began to feel one way or another about school,” Lansing said. “One thing that I wanted when we returned was somebody to help organize events and remind kids and teachers that school can be fun even if class is not.” 

The Student Engagement Coordinator, Lindsay Austin, is a new addition to the FFHS staff this year. 

“My job is to plan big events such as Homecoming and Prom along with other smaller events and making students excited to come to school,” Austin said. 

Austin is ecstatic about her new role at FFHS and the number of opportunities that this school year will bring. 

“I’m really excited about the opportunity to come and bring a sense of community back to the school and to get everyone excited about the traditions and non-academic events of First Flight,” Austin said. 

With the pandemic enforcing strict rules and regulations, Austin feels that encouraging school pride is essential for a successful school community. 

“There’s something about taking pride and being proud of the school that you come from,” Austin said. 

The passion and motivation carried out by Austin has been an important asset to the FFHS program. 

“There were a number of applicants,” Lansing said. “When I interviewed Ms. Austin, I knew after the first 5 minutes that she genuinely cared about kids and that she would go the extra mile every time to make an event special.” 

Senior Arden Carlyle can be reached at 22carlylear66@daretolearn.org