On, Nov. 9 at 7:30 a.m., our sixth grade Girl Scout Troop left Pelham to attend the 2024 Girl Scout LaGuardia Career Day. After a 30-minute drive, we arrived at LGA Terminal B, and to our surprise the entire terminal was evacuated due to a bomb threat. Hundreds of people were standing outside, and for a quick moment we thought our event would be cancelled. A nearby police officer confirmed, “It was just a bomb scare.” Once we were cleared to enter the building, we were joined by other Girl Scouts troops in the Atrium Business/Conference Center to hear from the various speakers regarding careers in aviation.

We heard inspiring speeches from various American Airline executives and captains, including Capt. Tammy Binns, Yu Lee (managing director of LaGuardia), Suzette Noble (chief executive officer of LGA Gateway Partners), Klaudia FitzGerald (chief operating officer of LGA Gateways Partners), Dr. Sharon DeVivo (president of Vaughn College), Captain Tan Hao, who organized this event, and Bonnie Tiburzi, who was the first-ever female commercial airline pilot.

“Once you find something you love, don’t be afraid,” said FitzGerald. “The aviation industry needs bright educated women like you.”

Tan said, “The best part of my job is being here with you, teaching you about aviation”.

“I hope to see you in the cockpit someday,” said Tiburzi.

Once the speeches were complete, we lined up in alphabetical order to get our name tags and boarding passes. We went through security and boarded an American Airlines E170/175 plane and taxied to the hanger. There were various professionals, including the airport police and firefighters who welcomed the 180 Girl Scouts in attendance. During our two-hour visit at the hanger, we ate a boxed lunch, received American Airlines merch, were able to interview various employees from the different departments and even met an explosive detection dog.

We were given the opportunity to interview two female pilots during lunch. We asked them a total of six questions each, one of which was, “What was your hardest flight and why?”

Capt. Moraima said, “I had a medical emergency my first week.”

“My flight after Sept. 11 was extremely difficult emotionally,” said Capt. Hayley.

We left the airport inspired by the aviation careers!

Amelia Pascual and Kate Stephens are sixth grade Girl Scouts in Pelham.