Congratulations to Cole Barretto ‘23, Stephany Kanno ‘24, and Jordan McKenzie ‘24 for their aviation achievements. Starting their journey at Assets’ K-8 campus, Cole has completed several solo flights. Stephany is preparing for her first as they both pursue a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona. Meanwhile, Jordan earned his private pilot’s license earlier this year. He is now continuing his education at Colorado Mesa University.
Cole's goal is to become a commercial pilot. He completed his first solo flight in a Cessna 172 in August this year, performing take-offs and landings at Prescott Municipal Airport.
“Recently, I have flown to airports including the Grand Canyon National Park, Wickenburg Municipal, Cottonwood, and Lake Havasu City,” Cole said. “This moment is gratifying for me as I’ve worked long and hard to reach this point.”
His mother, Mele Barretto, added, “Flying with Cole is incredible. He makes a better pilot than a driver on the road! Pilots seem to love speed. Assets prepared Cole for flying and college by teaching him how to advocate for himself, having the tools he needs to learn, and providing an incredible mentorship experience with Col. B.”
Cole began flying lessons during his senior year through the Assets High School Mentorship Program with retired Air Force Col. Victor Bonfiglio, affectionately called Col. B., at Pacific Flight Academy. All Assets High School students are in the Mentorship Program every Wednesday from September to April, where they learn real-world skills by participating in a work environment. Each April, they present their experiences to friends, family, faculty, staff, and fellow students at the Mentorship Expo.
Col B. has trained many pilots.
"Both Cole and Stephany were good students," said Col. Victor Bonfiglio. "Each had some unique considerations which we were able to work out over time. Flying is not only unique and difficult, it’s also dangerous. I feel great when any of my students succeed. It’s important to remember that 80 percent of wannabe pilots do not qualify for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Private Pilot Certificate. There are a lot of reasons for this low success rate. Many of my students have moved on to successfully fly for the Air Force, the Army, the Coast Guard, and the airlines. I get a lot of positive feedback from former flying students who are successfully progressing in aviation. It's a great way to have fun and make money."
Cole’s solid foundation to becoming a pilot started long before his Mentorship Program.
“In fourth grade, Ms. Kona, now Ms. Payanal, taught me how to do multiplication using Lattice Multiplication,” Cole shared. “That was a game changer for me. There's a lot to calculate in aviation when preparing for flight plans, and I’ve gotten pretty good at it.”
Stephany has been flying with Embry-Riddle out of Prescott Regional Airport (KPRC) and plans to complete her first solo flight in a Cessna 172 this spring.
“Being a professional pilot is the ultimate dream,” she said. “Whether it is flight instructing, spreading awareness, or being part of a scholarship board, I aspire to give back to the aviation community in Hawaii. I always believed that I could do anything I put my mind to. Assets taught me the confidence necessary to achieve my goals.”
Stephany and Jordan were among 20 students selected for the inaugural Aviation Pathways program at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum last year, each receiving a $10,000 scholarship.
Jordan, passionate about flying since childhood, completed his mentorship at Barber’s Point Flight School and has flown to destinations like Molokai. His first solo flight was in March 2024, in a Cessna 150. Three months later, he earned his private pilot's license.
“Being in the air, flying a plane myself is fantastic,” Jordan said.
In Hawaii, he has flown to Maui and Molokai. In Colorado, he has flown to Delta and Grand Junction. In Alaska, he has flown around Prince William Sound and near Cordova. He is pursuing an Associate of Applied Science degree at Colorado Mesa University, emphasizing what the school calls Fixed Wing, which will prepare him for FAA certification as a commercial pilot.
Other Assets students also excel in aviation, including Sydney Wilson '23, who did her solo flight with Col. B in December 2022. She also did her Mentorship Program at Pacific Air Flight Academy along with Carlos Perez-Mesa ‘24.
“I have wanted to fly airplanes since I was 4 years old and never stopped dreaming about it,” said Cole. “I’m seeing all the work and effort coming to fruition, and it’s very gratifying."
Related stories:
- Congratulations To Aviation Pathway Scholars Jordan ‘24 And Stephany ‘24
- Unlocking the Skies: Aviation Adventures in Assets High School Summer School Class
- WATCH NOW: Jordan McKenzie '24 takes his education to new heights thanks to Assets School
- Proud Mama Moment: Mentorship Empowers My Daughter to Navigate the Real World and School