CLEVELAND, Texas - s4story -- The skies above Cleveland were filled with excitement as nearly 100 students from Cleveland Independent School District, a district that serves families within the Colony Ridge community, experienced their first flights during a special aviation event hosted by the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Cleveland Chapter at Cleveland Municipal Airport. The youth aviation event introduced students ages 8 to 17 to the world of aviation through hands-on learning, educational activities, and short flights over their hometown.

EAA Young Eagles Program Inspires Future Aviators

This annual program, now in its fourth year, is part of the EAA's global Young Eagles initiative to introduce young people to aviation and inspire future pilots, engineers, and aerospace professionals. The Cleveland EAA Chapter — made up of about 45 volunteer members — dedicates its time and resources to making aviation accessible for local students, with each event driven by volunteer pilots and community support.

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Cleveland High School Aviation Program: Building Real Aircraft

At the center of this inspiring program is Cleveland High School's aviation department, led by teacher Brian Stafford, whose vision has transformed classroom learning into real-world aerospace experience. With nearly 300 students enrolled and about 80 actively building an experimental airplane, Cleveland ISD's aviation program has become one of the few high school aviation programs in Texas offering students the opportunity to construct and test aircraft from the ground up.

The district's first student-built plane was completed last year, and the second aircraft is expected to be finished by the end of this school year — demonstrating the hands-on STEM education that prepares students for careers in aviation and aerospace engineering.

Aviation Career Pathways for Cleveland ISD Graduates

Several program graduates are already charting their path toward aviation careers. Among them is Ricardo Suarez, a 2025 Cleveland High School graduate who helped complete the first aircraft and now studies at the Aviation Institute of Maintenance in Houston, pursuing his career as an aircraft maintenance technician.

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Community Support Makes Aviation Education Possible

Volunteer pilots, educators, and community members came together to make this year's event possible, donating their time, aircraft, and resources to ensure every student could experience flight firsthand through the EAA Young Eagles program (https://www.eaa.org/eaa/youth/free-ye-flights).

Colony Ridge Community and Cleveland ISD

This initiative is part of what makes Cleveland ISD an important part of the Colony Ridge community (https://www.colonyridge.com). The district's focus on career readiness aligns with Colony Ridge's mission to create opportunity from the ground up — helping families and students build their futures together.

This is what's happening in Cleveland ISD: a district where innovation takes flight and dreams become possible for the students and families who call this community home.