Captain Barrington Irving landed in Lauderdale Lakes on Friday for the unveiling of a plaque in his honor at Barrington Irving’s Bridge of Educational Excellence which connects the Vincent Torres Park with Park Lakes Elementary School.
Captain Irving is renowned for becoming the youngest pilot to fly alone around the world in a single-engine airplane at the age of twenty-seven in 2007. He flew 30,000 miles in the plane named “Inspiration.” Captain Irving was inspired by a Jamaican airline pilot (who became his mentor) and decided to pursue a career in Aviation. He has since become a motivation for young students who aspire to be in the aviation field and those who have dreams that may seem impossible to obtain.
Marching band and water salute
Students from Boyd Anderson High School Marching Band played for the Captain during his arrival with Mayor Hazelle Rogers while Lauderdale Lakes Broward Sheriff’s Office Fire Department provided a water salute.
After the unveiling, Mayor Rogers accompanied Captain Irving to Park Lakes Elementary School, Lauderdale Lakes Middle School and Central Charter School within the city.
“Need role models like Captain Irving,” Mayor Rogers
“The children were so excited to be visited by the Captain,” said Mayor Rogers. They were fully engaged and excited and also full of questions. These are the strong young professional that we need to become mentors to our youth and I’m so proud to have Captain Irving in our city.”
“Awesome visit,” Irving
Irving interacted with kids in their science classes and engaged them just like “The Flying Classroom” where instructional activities make learning content easier. “Today was an awesome visit for me!” said Captain Irving. “With today’s technology moving so fast, we are certainly in need of more professionals in so many different fields like aviation, marine biology and agriculture. These children represent our future.”
