Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals and Deputy Superintendent Pat Willis were among countless Duval County Public Schools' district staff and Principal Royce Turner for a plaque dedication ceremony at
Paxon School for Advanced Studies. The plaque dedication honored the first African-American female pilot, Bessie Coleman.
Bessie's legacy was celebrated by many at Paxon as the school's choir and JROTC Color Guard took part in the ceremony. Bessie Coleman's nephew, Arthur Freeman, also attended the ceremony. He shared how he has followed in Bessie's footsteps as a pilot.
Loved and respected by many, Bessie Coleman led many successful flights all around the nation. Bessie was en route to Jacksonville on April 30, 1926 for an air show, when her plane crashed on the old Paxon Airfield where the school sits today. She was 34 years old.
"You have so much great history at this school," said Dr. Lawrence Dennis, Cluster Chief for secondary schools. "You represent it well by being one of the greatest high schools in the nation."
Students at Paxon completed essays about Bessie Coleman for an essay contest. The top three students were recognized during the ceremony with a scholarship check and a copy of an autobiographical book about Bessie Coleman with a personalized letter from the author to each student. The first-place prize was awarded to Jonathan Winn, a senior at Paxon. Jonathan read through his winning essay, "The Importance of Being the First."
"Being the first, for however long or brief it may be, opens new opportunities for others," said Jonathan Winn. "Bessie had to defy the idea that blacks were inferior to whites, and that females were inferior to males."
Congratulations to the second-place essay contest winner, Mary Cole Christopher, and the third-place winner, Manuela Sushnitha.
Members of the Bessie Coleman Aerospace Legacy were present to share their deepest gratitude for such an honor at the school. Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals expressed pride in Paxon for honoring such a courageous woman. He went on to encourage the students to set and reach their own dreams in honor of Bessie Coleman.
"You have a great example of determination and courage through Bessie Coleman's accomplishments," said Superintendent Pratt-Dannals. "Push yourselves to the next level and look for opportunities that others may be too afraid to try."
Superintendent Pratt-Dannals then joined Dr. Nancy Lawrence, director of the Bessie Coleman Aerospace Legacy, as they unveiled the beautifully inscribed plaque honoring Bessie Coleman.
Bessie "Queen Bess" Coleman
1892-1926
The first African American Female Pilot, on April 29, 1926 visited the local schools in Jacksonville, FL to encourage young individuals to explore aviation. While rehearsing for her well-renowned aerobatics show held at Paxon Airfield, which today is Paxon School for Advanced Studies, a few miles away from the airfield her plane crashed. Bessie Coleman's last day was in Jacksonville Florida, on April 30, 1926.
To view pictures from the plaque dedication ceremony, visit the
DCPS' flickr photostream.
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