S EW ICK LEY
SP EAK IN G
WIN TER
2012
Making the Cut 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren are all left with wonderful memories and strong role models. Then in August, my older daughter was married to a very warm-hearted man, a forester. They have settled in Vermont. In October, my older son married a girl whom he has known since first grade. She teaches science at Wellesley High School. To make time for all this activity, I retired from full-time teaching this year, and Gary has cut back to a four-day work week. The free time is incredibly precious, and I have enjoyed my new ventures of singing with the church choir and making wedding quilts. Warm greetings to all my SA classmates.”
1970 Deb Canter ’70 writes, “Still trying to be retired but I find myself busier than when I was as an air traffic controller. I spent the summer teaching MSF classes (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) most weekends. I found a few days to ride my horses, but not enough. My target shooting activities were almost non-existent as most weekends were taken. Since January my embroidery business (www.barnthreads. com) has slowly been improving the bottom line. I work out of my house and have been growing slowly by word of mouth and limited
Matt Gardner ’04 is remembered fondly by his teachers and college counselor as an excellent student who made a positive impact on Sewickley Academy. Whether he was mastering math concepts in AP Calculus with Ms. Bowers, participating in a Wall Street Club meeting with Mr. McGinn, or making future plans in a college meeting with Mrs. FitzPatrick, Matt displayed his trademark determination and optimism. Upon graduation, Matt took his exceptionally quick wit and discerning intellect to the University of Florida where he went on to earn a degree in engineering and aerospace studies.
Matt Gardner ’04 on the wings of an F15E-2.
During his time at Florida, Matt was enrolled in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), which allowed him to not only earn his degree and study in Morocco, but also compete for pilot training in the U.S. Air Force. Based upon his excellent academic performance, physical fitness, and performance at ROTC boot camp for officers, Matt was selected for pilot training. He is quick to praise his ROTC classmates at the University of Florida as six of the 11 were chosen for the training, whereas nationwide, the acceptance rate is only 20 percent. The first stop on Matt’s training journey was Columbus, Mississippi, a small town with a military base where Matt learned to fly the T6. After six short months with the T6, it was time for another evaluation. Matt passed with flying colors and moved on to fighter pilot training. The next aircraft for Matt to master was the T38. During his six months in the air on the T38, he flew at Mach .9 (almost breaking the sound barrier) and crossed the country several times, even stopping in Pittsburgh to visit family. The highlight of T38 training is the Introduction to Flying Fundamentals where pilots learn how to attack and drop bombs at unbelievably high speeds. Matt and his fellow T38 trainees were evaluated, or “racked and stacked” in their words, to determine who among them would be chosen for the next stage – elite F15E training. Matt made the cut again and was elated to be chosen as one of three pilots to go on to F15E training which began on June 21, 2011. What made the day even more exciting is that his second daughter was born the day before on June 20. Upon completion of his F15 training, Matt and his family will move across the pond to an air base near Cambridge, England, for the next three years. During the next phase of Matt’s career, he will be deployed for six months at a time, and he expects that he will be flying missions in Afghanistan in 2012. While it will be hard to be away from his wife, Jeane, and his daughters, Ainsley and Myla, Matt looks forward to putting his elite training to use. God Speed, Matt!
Deb Canter ’70 with her motorcycles.
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