BEYOND HAIKU
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BEYOND HAIKU
Women Pilots Write Poetry
Again, in this latest of book of the Beyond Haiku series, beautiful illustrations by children of pilots, aged 7-17, bring the richness of the aviators’ words even further to life.
All proceeds from Women Pilots Write Poetry go to fund aviation scholarships for aspiring women aviators.
Help Support this beautiful book and scholarship for the next generation of pilots!
ABOUT THE BOOK
In this latest book in the Beyond Haiku series – Women Pilots Write Poetry, Argentine-born American Airlines Captain Linda Pauwels masterfully captures the adventure and beauty that come with the journey of flying aircraft. From these pages come a thoughtful curation of haiku and short poems by fifty-eight women pilots from ten countries who collectively share their diverse flying backgrounds.
Many of the contributors to this book carry out the honorable work of flying over borders and walls, making the world a smaller place—and all while forging a path in what has historically been a man’s profession. These women are custodians of the power and majesty of flight.
Among these inspiring, characteristically dry, and often amusing poetic insights, Pauwels has woven a selection of profound and previously unpublished poetry written by the greatest aviatrix of all time, Amelia Earhart.
Video design and composition: Kateryna Sikulska @cathy_sik
Music by: American Airlines Captain Susan Maule “Calling the Moon: Lullaby for the Daydreamer” @eagleflute
RECENT TESTIMONIALS
“Think of the focus, precision and courage required to be a pilot. Now, add to that the toughness needed to be a woman in what for too long had been a male-dominated field. Yet, in this book, these amazing women put down in words their artistic side, allowing themselves to be vulnerable. The proverbial cherry on top is the artwork turned in by the children of pilots. And all the proceeds go aviation scholarships!”
– Walter Villa, writer for The Miami Herald
“As an avid fan of women in travel and aviation, I loved reading Beyond Haiku: Women Pilots Write Poetry — what a heartfelt poetic journey! It’s truly a book for all! I felt so inspired by the words of poetry and wisdom. There are many more beautiful layers and depth to aviation than I previously imagined. In another life, I would have seriously become a pilot!”
– Jeannette Ceja, Travel Journalist, TV Host, and Global Public Speaker
“It is a great honor for me to be asked by Captain Linda Pauwels to write an endorsement of her book. If I have accepted her invitation favorably it is because I have a lot of admiration for these women pilots who express their art in the cockpit. They are adventurers of the modern times as was in her time Nellie Bly. Poetry is also an art to express its impressions, its emotions and its sensations. The marriage of these two arts that are the piloting and the poetry combine to produce fireworks! For me poetry rhymes with the word travel and adventure, it reminds me of the happiness of listening to storytellers in the most remote villages of Africa or prose writers reciting their poems sitting around a camp fire in the Sinai.”
– Henry de Bergevin, International Consultant for Documentaries
“Captain Linda Pauwels put together an outstanding and diverse book of aviation poetry written solely by women. Her tedious methodical organization will help readers quickly find poems of interest to immerse themselves, with helpful hints on how to write their own haikus to express and deeply discover their own journey! Her reflective and eloquent introduction quickly frames the spiritual intent of the book and provides an empathetic glimpse of who Linda is and how she delicately weaves her intuition, sensitivity, family, writing, and flying experiences into intimate reflections, thoughts and musings.”
– Helmut Reda, Editor, Because I Fly, the world’s largest collection of aviation poetry
“The miracle of flight has long been the subject of verse, but in Captain Linda Pauwels’ Beyond Haiku: Women Pilots Write Poetry, we are treated to the unique perspectives of women who take to the sky. It is heartening to read their lyrical testimonials to the love, challenge and ultimate beauty of conquering gravity.”
– R. D. Kardon, Airline Transport Pilot and author of best-selling novels Flygirl and Angel Flight
“It’s nearly impossible to use words to convey the feeling and emotions of flying, but WOMEN PILOTS WRITE POETRY is as close as we’ll ever come to capturing its essence. Just like flying, poetry connects our souls with our minds.”
– Erika Armstrong, Author, A Chick in the Cockpit
“To solo an airplane in the vast blue sky above, this is where dreams are made. The literary work of Women Pilots Write Poetry is penned by such talented writers and orchestrated by the secret poet and author Captain Linda Pauwels. Fifty-eight ladies join together in this beautifully published collection of poetry. The book is for all to enjoy. Wonderfully warm and a brilliant read, this collection captures the essence of the woman, the pilot and the poet.”
– Patrick Tarpey, Airline pilot and author of The Brooklyn Sunflower
Check out our interviews and articles:
Amelia Earhart’s long-hidden poems reveal an enigma’s inner thoughts.
“Hablando Claro con el Padre Alberto” Interview
American Airlines Pilot Author Shares Previously Unpublished Poetry by Amelia Earhart in Latest Book in Beyond Haiku Series
First Latina American Airlines Captain Releases Book Of Poems By Women Pilots
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Captain Linda Pauwels is an airline pilot. For over three decades she has flown thousands of hours, on many types of big airplanes, all over the world. Linda even counts some aviation “firsts” attached to her name. At present, she instructs and evaluates pilots as a check airman on the Boeing 787 for American Airlines.
Linda was born in San Pedro, Buenos Aires, Argentina. She came to the United States at age six, after the death of her father. Having experienced adversity early on in life, she grew to understand and appreciate the value of resilience. Linda integrates intuition and sensitivity, along with a graduate academic preparation in education, in her professional life.
In the mid-2000s, Linda wrote a regular column, titled From the Cockpit, for the Orange County Register. She has been secretly writing poetry for a while. Unfortunately, that cat is now out of the bag.
Linda has been married to Frederick, also a pilot, for almost forty years. They have two adult children, Nathalie and Patrick, domestic animals, and an Asian garden with a bird feeder. The family has a primary base in North Texas, near DFW airport, and a secondary base in South Florida, near MIA.
CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS (WOMEN PILOTS)
Melissa Aho
Dr. Melissa Aho is a Librarian, Adjunct University Professor, Writer, and Entrepreneur. She has participated in archaeological excavations in Belize, Colorado, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, researched mosque architecture in Guyana and Minnesota, and spent various amounts of time in 16 countries. Melissa has published two books and written articles, book chapters, and over 100 book reviews. Over the years Melissa has collected four master’s degrees in Anthropology, Library & Information Science, Art History, and Education – Learning Technologies, and in the summer of 2021 she completed her Ph.D. in International Development from the University of Southern Mississippi. She is a member of many professional organizations, including The Ninety-Nines, Women in Aviation International, and The Explorers Club. A student private pilot, she is post-solo and working towards her license in a Sundowner airplane and she is also working on her Drone Part 107 certification.
Lucía Aránega Abellán
Lucía Aránega Abellán was born in Madrid in 1973. She has been a pilot for Iberia for 19 years. She is currently flying long haul on Airbus A330 and A350.
Her beginnings were at Club Loreto with gliders at the age of 16. She studied Industrial Engineering for one year at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. She graduated as pilot of the SENASA, 2nd class, in the year 1994. She is also PEER-certified by the Colegio Oficial de Pilotos de Aviación Comercial (COPAC – Commercial Pilots Association).
She worked as flight attendant at Oasis International Airlines from 1994 to 1996, as flight attendant and then as rescue instructor at Air Nostrum between 1996 and 1998. She started working as pilot of Air Nostrum in 1998 flying a Fokker 50. She also worked as rescue instructor until she entered Iberia in September 2002. So far, she has flown Fokker 50, Airbus A319, A320, A321, A330, A340, and A350, and nearly 12,000 hours.
She actively cooperates with AVIADORAS foundation by helping new pilots and promoting the career at schools, universities, and companies.
She has a personal blog called www.aviones&tacones.com.
Holly Beckwith
I was writing haiku before I ever thought about flying. In high school our English class had a section on poetry including haiku. I enjoyed the writing assignment and saw how I could capture a moment in just a few words. Over the years I continued to “capture moments” and am happy to share a few in this book. I have had many moments during my flying career that I’ve wanted to capture as I’ve flown for the Air Force and American Airlines and now, I’m enjoying retirement!
María Isabel Blanch
I was born in the Philippines, but lived in Madrid, Spain until I moved to the U.K to study at Salford University, Manchester, were I graduated in 1990. My dream has always been flying and finally I joined a pilot ab-initio training scheme offered by Iberia Airlines, at the Lufthansa Verkehrsfliegerschule. To get there it was not easy, not only because of the tough entry exams but because I also needed to “grow half an inch” which I managed to do, literally hanging upside down during months at a gym! So after that my moto became: “Go for it! You can do it! “
This wonderful training gave me the opportunity to learn how to fly in Bremen, Germany, and Goodyear, Arizona, with incredibly great instructors and also to make friends with pilot students from airlines from all around the world.
In 1995 I joined LTE airlines, owned by LTU, a strong German charter company, and flew the wonderful B-757 based in a Palma de Mallorca, where I live since then. Since 1997 I fly for Iberia Airlines. I have flown B-757/767, B-747, A-340 as a copilot and A320 and A330, which I fly now, as a captain.
I love flying and also enjoy being at home, being a full time mum of my 8 year old twins, Leo and Leilani who read Linda Pauwels’ book and were delighted to send their paintings together with my haikus. We are very grateful, Linda, for letting us join such a beautiful initiative.
Syd Blue
Syd has written, edited and produced for everything from TV stations to book publishers. With over 40 articles published, Syd supervised writing staffs at national magazines and a news service. Syd produced an award-winning documentary, TV shows, ads and short films, and has film screenplays optioned. Her two tween novels are read in middle schools with STEM curriculum and made the top 1% of Amazon books.
As a commercial pilot, Syd owned an aerial surveillance company protecting national security assets for many years. During those long, hot flights, she flew low over the turbulent and enchanting terrain of the Southwest. Syd speaks at schools, airshows and events to promote literacy and encourage kids to take on a challenge like flying because soaring changes lives.
Liz Booker
Liz Booker is a pilot and writer for children and young adults. She retired from a 28-year career in the U.S. Coast Guard as a helicopter pilot and foreign diplomat in 2019 to write full time. Four of those years were spent flying missions in Coastal Florida and around the Caribbean based out of Opa-Locka. She holds a Master in Public Administration from Harvard University, a Master of Fine Arts in Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and her Commercial Fixed and Rotary Wing licenses. Liz is the host of the Aviatrix Book Club and the Aviatrix Book Review podcast and website, with over 500 books featuring women in aviation and space in all genres, for all ages. She and her family live in Weston, Florida. You can find her on social media @literaryaviatrix.
Carolee Brainerd
Carolee is a 2nd generation American Airlines pilot who is following in her father’s footsteps. Her husband Steve is also a pilot. She currently flies a Boing 787 internationally out of Chicago’s O’Hare Airport and enjoys seeing the world from the 40,000-foot view. When she’s not in an airplane Carolee loves being at home with her family in Wisconsin.
Pam Catlin
My first and most important job in this life is mother to Natalie, age 10, the illustrator of my poem. I also fly the B737 as a Captain for American Airlines out of Chicago O’Hare. I started flying 38 years ago, after a band member in the band I played in took me for an airplane ride over my home. I was enamored with flying! I was going to be a florist and was enrolled in floral arranging and horticulture, but immediately changed my major and continued on in aviation. I instructed at three colleges, flew charter and freight and got hired by American Airlines as a Boeing 727 Flight engineer. I continued to fly four different aircraft for American, and I feel the flight deck is my second home. My home away from home inspired my short poem.
Kathleen Cosand
This wonderful training gave me the opportunity to learn how to fly in Bremen, Germany, and Goodyear, Arizona, with incredibly great instructors and also to make friends with pilot students from airlines from all around the world.
In 1995 I joined LTE airlines, owned by LTU, a strong German charter company, and flew the wonderful B-757 based in a Palma de Mallorca, where I live since then. Since 1997 I fly for Iberia Airlines. I have flown B-757/767, B-747, A-340 as a copilot and A320 and A330, which I fly now, as a captain.
I love flying and also enjoy being at home, being a full time mum of my 8 year old twins, Leo and Leilani who read Linda Pauwels’ book and were delighted to send their paintings together with my haikus. We are very grateful, Linda, for letting us join such a beautiful initiative.
Samantha David
Samantha David started flying when her daughter bought her a flight in a microlight as a birthday present. 18 months later she had her PPL and her microlight license and is now aiming to become an instructor. A writer by trade she now flies almost every day, and writes novels at night to pay for her training.
Anecdote: Being a female pilot in France means you meet all kinds of instructors; the good the bad, and the ugly. Perhaps my next poem will be about the encouraging ones?
As a commercial pilot, Syd owned an aerial surveillance company protecting national security assets for many years. During those long, hot flights, she flew low over the turbulent and enchanting terrain of the Southwest. Syd speaks at schools, airshows and events to promote literacy and encourage kids to take on a challenge like flying because soaring changes lives.
Megan Farley
I was born in San Francisco, California, and spent half of my childhood there and the other half in Henderson, Texas. I joined the Army, where, through a morale, recreation, and welfare program for soldiers at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama, I learned to fly from Jim Brewer. While there, I also travelled to Tennessee to learn aerobatics from Bill Kerschner. During my time in the Army, I also flew a Cessna over South Korea while having to be mindful of the multitude of ways and reasons I might get shot down. After I left the Army, I continued flying and became a flight instructor in Arizona, then an airline pilot for Piedmont Airlines flying the DeHavilland Dash-8 as first officer based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. I have since left the industry to become a chemist working in forensic science, and am now finally back home where I started in San Francisco.
Kristi Feinzig
This wonderful training gave me the opportunity to learn how to fly in Bremen, Germany, and Goodyear, Arizona, with incredibly great instructors and also to make friends with pilot students from airlines from all around the world.
In 1995 I joined LTE airlines, owned by LTU, a strong German charter company, and flew the wonderful B-757 based in a Palma de Mallorca, where I live since then. Since 1997 I fly for Iberia Airlines. I have flown B-757/767, B-747, A-340 as a copilot and A320 and A330, which I fly now, as a captain.
I love flying and also enjoy being at home, being a full time mum of my 8 year old twins, Leo and Leilani who read Linda Pauwels’ book and were delighted to send their paintings together with my haikus. We are very grateful, Linda, for letting us join such a beautiful initiative.
Beth Fielder
Beth Fielder is a Miami-based 737 First Officer with American Airlines.
Her aviation career began after graduating from the University of San Diego with a B.A. in Marine Science. Beth joined the U.S. Coast Guard to fulfill her lifetime aspirations to become a pilot, following in the footsteps of her father and uncle who flew Vietnam era P-3s and A-4s in the Navy.
She was selected for Naval Flight Training in Pensacola, Florida, earned her Coast Guard Aviator Gold Wings in May of 1999 in Corpus Christi, Texas, and retired from the service after 20 years.
Beth’s aviation tours included operations from the South Pacific to the Arctic. Starting in Barbers Point, Hawaii on the HC-130H as Aircraft Commander, as well as missions out of Clearwater, Florida and Kodiak, Alaska focusing on homeland security, search and rescue, drug interdiction and marine environmental protection. In addition, she earned a M.S. in Quality Systems Management from the National Graduate School.
Beth was born in Mountain View, California and raised in Centennial, Colorado. She resides with her husband CWO3 Rob Fielder (USCG, retired), son Robby, dog Rosy and horse Spice in Hudson, Florida.
Chelsea Frost
My name is Chelsea Frost. I live on Center Island, in the San Juan Islands in Washington State, USA.
I currently fly for a 135 operation out of Bellingham, Washington in which we offer scheduled and on-demand charter operation primarily in the islands, but will operate anywhere in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
Gulcin Gilbert
Gulcin is currently a Captain with American Airlines and holds type ratings for the DC3, BE1900, B737, B757, B767, B777 and Airbus 320F. She has over 18,000 flight hours.
A 4000+ jump skydiver, holding multiple world-records, she released her first full-length documentary, Pink Skies, in 2011, about the making of the 181-way Women’s World Skydiving Record, which garnered multiple awards.
Gulcin is also journalist and writer. Her works have been published in numerous magazines and several anthologies. Gulcin is a member of Women in Aviation, 99s, ISA+21, EAA and helped direct the Launch of the West Coast EAA Young Eagles event which flew over 500 kids in one day.
Erica Glanz
Professionally and personally, Erica is a pilot. That’s the only description that serves to celebrate a career in Naval aviation while highlighting the person… the woman inside. She spent the majority of her childhood, and then adult life, living in Washington State; it’s here favorite place to be and to be flying.
Renee Granata
Renee Granata is a private pilot who enjoys flying in her home state of Connecticut and around the beautiful state of Maine where she has a family cabin in the western mountains. She overcame her fear of flying, and became a private pilot with her tail wheel endorsement before she ever flew as a passenger commercially. In her 40s, Renee works in health care as a Dept of Medicine coordinator, and is finishing up her Master of Studies in Law, focusing on health law and policy.
In her spare time, Renee enjoys road adventures, exploring nature, kayaking and camping. As a child, she wanted to become a gymnast, but her parents had other ideas, encouraging her to play the piano and the accordion, the latter instrument being the more portable one, which Renee occasionally plays to this day. In addition to all of Renee’s hobbies, she has self published a children’s poem/book entitled “Maxwell Moosington’s Flight of Maine” available on Etsy. She has future plans to write about more of his adventures at a later date!
Elizabeth Hawley
Elizabeth B. Hawley was born in and grew up in Costa Rica. Admiring the country’s nature, she developed a deep fondness for expressing her awe of it in her poetry and photography.
She represented Costa Rica at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California, and the United States at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia, in the women’s air and sport rifle events.
Hawley graduated from Midwestern State University, magna cum laude, Bachelor of Arts, having double-majored in English and Spanish, emphasizing poetry. She was inducted into the International English Honor Society (Sigma Tau Delta), La Sociedad Nacional Honoraria Hispánica (Sigma Delta Pi), and the Alpha Chi National College Honor Society. MSU later honored her with the recognition of Outstanding Alumnus of the Prothro-Yeager College of Humanities and Social Sciences. In a brief and exciting sally into the Earth sciences at her alma mater, the Society of Sigma Gamma Epsilon inducted her as a new member.
Britanny Himert
Brittany Himert is a Flight Attendant living in Las Vegas. She is also an aspiring private pilot living in Las Vegas and is pursuing her Master’s degree in Psychology.
She heard about Linda Pauwels books through a friend, and submitted some poetry work. Brittany loves the thrill and the joy in flying that comes with controlling an amazing machine!
Anecdote:
My friend was in a hard place getting her pilot license, and we were working through the emotions she was having about the fear of crashing after she saw someone in her flight school crash a Cessna. I took her fear, and my own feeling of how GOOD it feels to fly, and put them together into something very real and amazing, but also scary. Although it can be dangerous, the high is really worth it.
Betty Innes
Betty began her journey as a pilot in the winter of 1961 and achieved her pilot’s license in July 1962. She learned to fly in an Aeronca Champ, tandem taildragger. Betty has served as Chapter Chairman of the First Canadian Chapter as well the East Canada Governor. A lifetime poet, painter, singer, and gardener, she has achieved third class teacher status in Ikenobo, the oldest form of Ikebana, the traditional art of Japanese flower arranging. Betty met her husband John, also an avid pilot, at the airport in Maple, and spent many hours in the air with him flying out of Buttonville Airport in a Rockwell Commander. She has two sons, one of whom is a pilot himself. While her feet remain mostly on the ground these days, she often keeps her eyes on the skies.
Kelly Jeffries
Kelly Jeffries is a Captain for American Airlines, a dream she’s had since she was nine. Navy Veteran living in an Airpark with her retired Air Force and airline husband, she flies big airplanes for work and little airplanes for fun. Known as Nonnie K to granddaughter Phoenix, when she’s not flying, Kelly enjoys teaching Zumba, dabbling in poetry and training for Masters Track and Field. Inspiration for her poetry has come from the early days of her flight training and much later, the trials and tribulations of building an airplane with your spouse.
Delia Jones
In 1998 I completed my Diploma of Writing and Editing, which I loved. I have had many poems and articles printed over the years and was editor of AIRNEWS MAGAZINE (AWPA Australian Women Pilots’ Association) for a few years. My eldest brother died of cancer in Dec 98’ and just before he passed he told me his one wish was to learn to fly. So, in January the following year I decided to take up flying as a tribute to him. Little did I know how much I would love flying and where all the amazing places around Australia it would take me. I have my private pilot’s licence, own 2 Grumman Tigers and currently working on getting my Private Instrument Rating. We live on a vineyard backing onto YCEM in the Yarra Valley, Victoria. My passion is combining both of my love of writing and flying, especially haiku- my favourite form of poetry.
Tammy LaBarbera
Like so many around the world 2020 brought many changes for me. After 10 years of living abroad and flying for an international airline I flew my last flight as a Boeing 777 Captain. The years seemed to pass quite quickly from a first solo in 1991 to earning a multitude of wings to flight instructing in SoCal to operating Grand Canyon tours to commuter flying in a ATR and RJ and then on to 2 major airlines.
Admittedly not all my flying days were fun or without a bit of fear. Along the journey I met so many interesting people, learned so much, was humbled when I got too cocky, saw many beautiful sunrises and sunsets, some even on the same flight and was in awe of the beauty of this world. Experiences are the part of wonder that make up this profession and I’m looking forward to many more in the next number of years. So there is no time like the present to plot a new course in aviation. Flying floats is the next step (pun intended) for me. Let the adventure continue!
Carolien Libbrecht
For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to become a pilot.
I started gliding in 1994 when I was only 15. It was very rare to see female aviators at that time.
Now, 27 years later, I’m still flying around, exploring Europe and beyond, as a Brussels based Airbus 319/320 Captain. Throughout the years, I’ve come to understand the importance of intuition if you want to excel in the job. Sometimes, an inflight situation can only be described as “something does not feel right”. I believe it is important to act upon such intuition, as these feelings usually seem to be there for a good reason. However, it takes a lot of courage to act upon “feelings” instead of “facts”. Writing, reading and being creative helps me to get in touch with my inner intuitive world. I believe that actively getting in touch with my emotions, feelings and intuition, helps me to overcome the many challenges that life presents us. You could say that being creative keeps me grounded while taking flight! The “beyond Haiku” project immediately felt right for me and I’d like to thank Cpt. Linda Pauwels for this wonderful initiative!!
Antonella Mancebo
My name is Antonella Mancebo, I was born and raised in Argentina. I am 26 years old, and I moved to the US a couple of years ago with the dream of becoming a pilot. I am now a certified flight instructor, and also a gate agent for American Airlines at Miami International Airport.
I recently graduated with the Bachelors in Aerospace Science at Broward College with Summa Cum Laude honors. I enjoy traveling and learning new cultures. When I was a kid, I said I wanted to travel the world and I have kept my word.
Terri McCallister
I am a 737 Captain for American Airlines. I grew up in Texas and have lived on both the East Coast and the West Coast and currently live in Austin. I took my first flying lesson in 1989 and have flown commercially since 1994. I am type rated in the 737, 757, 787 and 767, and have also flown the Saab, MD80 and the Learjet. I have flown the US, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean ,South and Central America, Asia , Hawaii and Europe. Flying is my job, and I love it, but it doesn’t define the whole of who I am .
I am a daughter, sister, aunt , niece, cousin and a friend. I am a lover of dogs and an advocate for the creatures who so enrich our lives, yet have no voice.
I am an observer of life, always looking for the manifestation of a defining emotion . I am able on occasion to put words to that emotion.
Sometimes poetry almost writes itself when something is aching to be said. We just have to be willing to hear the message and write the words .
My eyes, ears and heart are open and my pen and paper await.
Susan McDonald
Susan is a private pilot who has also worked as an air traffic controller and a human factors researcher for over 30 years. Aviation has been her lifeblood since her teen years and she views it as much as an art as a science: “There is so much visual beauty in the sky, with its ever-changing colors and patterns; but for the vulnerable human, the potential for tragedy and sublime accomplishment can exist simultaneously. That is what is so unique and compelling about having aviation as a career and a livelihood. It is never boring, and always challenging to your spirit.” Susan lives in southern California, doing independent consulting and traveling whenever she can. She has a BS in Aviation Management and an MS in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle University World Wide Campus.
Maciel Mejia Moreno
My name is Cristian Mejia Moreno, but since I was a little girl, people called me Maciel, and I prefer it. I am twenty years old, and I was born in Limon, a province on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica As a child, I lived with my family until I was 12 years old; however, I then decided to be someone in life and grow for the better so, I voluntarily entered an orphanage, where I was guided and educated. Thanks to that, I was able to study and be who I am today. My dream is to become a pilot one day, and I am going to make it.
I never thought about writing poems or drawing, but I feel so blessed that someone is interested in me and could contribute to this beautiful and amazing project. That is a new chapter in my life, and I enjoy it with all my heart. Was difficult but not impossible. I love the experience of writing and drawing at my table, listening to BTS songs, drinking water, and think about how I would like to express myself to others and express encouragement and strength.
Current flying assignment: Cabin Crew Student in CPEA Flight School (Dreaming about become a pilot).
Laureen Miklos
“Mik” received her Navy flight school billet upon graduation in 1981 from the U.S. Naval Academy (the second class of women to graduate from that institution). After earning her Wings of Gold in July ’82, she went on to fly the H-46 first at HC-11 where she was the first woman to make a full WestPac Battle Group deployment and then as an instructor in HC-3. In HSL-31, she flew the H-2 primarily in the Philippines. After having her first daughter, she transitioned to the H-3, and was Officer-in-Charge of the Desert Ducks in Bahrain and also for a two-aircraft detachment aboard USS Mt Whitney during Operation Haiti. She had her second daughter while stationed with NATO in Naples, Italy, eventually retiring after a 20-year career as a Commander with a total of 2,464 flight hours.
Bethany Miller
I am an aviator, businesswoman, writer, and world traveler. I’m passionate about psychology & philosophy, art & culture, and science & technology. In business I always look to connect people and experiences, and I have worked in travel, entertainment and professional development. Multiple fields of aviation (both flying and managerial) are in my expertise. I am an experienced airline Captain and military combat veteran skilled in both passenger and cargo procedures. I held many executive leadership and staff positions in industry and the military. My artistry in all of these areas- from academic research to travel/tourism to logistical operations- is in bringing meaning to the people who work in these fields and clarity to the business operating systems. I have a talent for enlightening the purpose behind the work, therefore making it more meaningful and important to both the operators and the customers. But the art of living involves loving what you do and the world around you. I continue to write and create and learn and reflect, even as the work turns into passions.
Donna Miller
Donna Miller’s flying career first took wing in South Korea where she earned her private license while working as a civilian for the Air Force. She has since flown cargo, passengers, skydivers, professional sports teams, air ambulance and charter flights worldwide. In 2003, she had the honor of flying Neil Armstrong to Kitty Hawk for the centennial of flight celebration. She is active in general aviation, having flown the B-17, B-24 and B-25 for the Collings Foundation for three seasons.
Donna’s passion for aviation history began when she was asked to help Elrey Jeppesen catalog his memorabilia for display at the Denver International Airport. Additionally, she worked closely with Louis Zamperini when the biography of his life, “Unbroken” by Laura Hillenbrand was released.
Leslie Nixon
Leslie Nixon is a semi-retired feline veterinarian and a recreational pilot living in Florida. Since earning her pilot’s license in 2009, she has taken many adventurous trips in her Beech Bonanza, flying around the US and Canada. She has eight more states to complete the goal of landing in all 49 continental states. She has 12 to go.
In her haiku, Leslie wanted to express the feelings of freedom, joy, and sheer fun she has when flying her plane.
Reyné O’Shaugnessy
Captain Reyné O’Shaughnessy is the Founder of Piloting 2 Wellbeing, an aviation-based wellness organization that builds on her 34+ years of experience as a commercial airline pilot. She currently captains B767 aircrafts and has logged over 10,000 hours of jet flight time. Reyné has over a decade of experience in health and wellness as a strategist, and is also certified in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) at Brown University, in addition to her BS in Leadership and an Executive Certificate in Business from UC Berkeley. She helps NexGen in aviators and airline organizations to achieve a healthier, more rewarding life using practical and foundational practice. Reyné is a visionary leader who brings a clear idea of what a healthier, stronger future for aviation professionals could be; she writes more about this in her upcoming book, This Is Your Captain Speaking: What You Should Know About Your Pilot’s Mental Health.
Raquel Oliva
Raquel started her aviation education in Aviation High School, New York. She has worked in the aviation field in the capacity of an A&P on general, corporate and commercial aircraft.
She is an mother, an A&P Aircraft Maintenance Technician, and student pilot currently working as a Flight Simulator Technician for Airbus.
She is currently attending Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, where she is pursuing a Masters Degree in Unmanned Systems with a minor in sUAS and Part 107 remote operator license. She plans to continue her flight training after her degree to convert her student pilots license into a private pilot’s license.
Laurie Parenteau
Laurie learned to fly as a teenager in Southern California. She has worked as a weather briefer, flight instructor, airline pilot and now works for the FAA. Laurie enjoys running and exploring new trails.
Janet Patton
Janet Patton of Denton, TX has been flying airplanes for 35 years. A Michigan native, she earned her wings at small airports throughout Southeast Michigan. Janet’s biggest aviation accomplishment was becoming Spirit Airlines first woman pilot in 1996 followed by the first woman Captain in 1998. She works as a Boeing 737 Captain for American Airlines and is based at DFW. With over 20 years at American, she is looking forward to holding wide-body Captain on the Boeing’s 777 or 787 within the next 5 years. Janet owns a Piper Cherokee 180 and is a Hot Air Balloon Commercial Pilot.
Nathalie Pauwels
A native of Orange County, California, Nathalie graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in English, and a minor in French. She was commissioned in May 2014 as a Naval Intelligence Officer.
Nathalie worked as an aviation intelligence analyst specializing in managing various ISR missions, deploying and supporting collection efforts across multiple geographic areas of responsibility.
Nathalie went through civilian flight training as part of the American Airlines Cadet Academy program. She started flight training in September 2019, and received her commercial pilot rating, with instrument and multi-engine add-ons, in addition to her Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI, CFI-Instrument) certificates and is a contracted instructor with the Jacksonville Navy Flying Club.
Nathalie has one dog, L. Ron, a corgi. He is her greatest pride in life and they love going to the beach together. They live in Jacksonville, FL for now. Nathalie enjoys observing the world and writing haiku. Her favorite season is Fall and she loves drinking spiced tea, watching anime, and learning about ancient warfare.
Karlene Petitt
Karlene Petitt, is an A350 pilot for an International airline. She is type rated on the A350, A330, B747-400, B747-200, B777, B767, B757, B737, and B727. She holds an MBA, MHS, and a PhD in Aviation. She is the author of Flight to Success, Be the Captain of Your Life, Normalization of Deviance, and an Aviation Thriller series that began with Flight For Control. A mother of three, grandmother of eight, she lives in Seattle Washington.
PhD. MBA. MHS.
Typed: A350, B777, A330, B747-400, B747-200, B767, B757, B737, B727,
Bethoyia Powell
Jamaican-born Integrated Operations Duty Pilot, Beth Powell, recalls her mother’s dream for her three daughters to have a better life and education, and her dad’s attitude and positive outlook in life.
In the parish of St. Mary, Jamaica, where she was raised, First Officer Powell broke that mold with the assistance of her parents. Her first step was completing high school at the age of 16, whilst also taking her first solo flight. She obtained her private pilot license at 17 and her commercial license at 18. By 19, she graduated from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Professional Aeronautics and a Minor in Aviation Safety. At 21, she was hired by American Eagle, eventually becoming a captain on the ATR42/72 and EMB.
Jacqueline Pulido
Jacqueline Pulido is a former A320 Captain. Her love of aviation stems from her childhood as an airline brat where her mother worked as a stewardess and her father as an airline pilot. She is happily married to the love of her life who is also an A320 Captain. She is also a proud mother to their son, Mateo. In 2017 Jacqueline temporarily hung her wings to care for their son but still remains active in the aviation industry. Currently, Jackie is an A320 simulator flight instructor, teaches aviation English, is a co-author of Latinas in Aviation, as well as the Mexico correspondent of Latinas in Aviation Magazine. She is passionate about safety in aviation, enjoys cooking, is a woman of faith in God, and is committed to helping advance girls and women in aviation. You can contact her on Instagram @jipibal.
Ellen Quist
Ellen Quist got a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and then decided to make a total career change to pursue her passion in aviation. She worked at the local airport for three years while completing her flight training, and is now a full-time contract pilot and flight instructor. As a young pilot, she is still in the process of building her professional career, and hopes to continue to hone her skills and nurture her love of tailwheels and float planes.
Suzanne Ramsey
Born in Sydney, NSW Australia, my first memory of anything to do with Aviation was when my father was transferred by BOAC Flying Boat from Sydney to Singapore at the conclusion of WWII hostilities – marking the beginning of our itinerant life that covered more than 5 continents, of necessity involving a number of encounters with flying.
Being a “Fearful Flyer” since an early age, in 1989 I forced myself to take up flying in order to “overcome” these phobias – successful over time, achieved my private license (1990), a Night rating (1992), a Mountain flying course through the Rockies (1999), an Instrument Rating (2001) and an Australian Day VFR License (2005) racking up some 2000 flight hours along the way.
Raquel Ramsey
Dr. Raquel R. Ramsey is the widow of Col. Edwin P. Ramsey, 26th Cavalry PS, who led the Last Mounted Horse Cavalry Charge in U.S. Army history and commanded the East Central Luzon Guerilla Forces as he fought four years behind enemy lines. Col. Ramsey graduated from Oklahoma Military Academy in 1937 and from OU College of Law in 1952 after returning from the war. Ed Ramsey passed away March 7, 2013 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery on June 28, 2013. Ed and Raquel were married for 34 wonderful years.
Dr. Ramsey retired on June 15, 2013 after 50 years in the education profession from Beverly Hills Unified School District, where she was a teacher and Coordinator of the English Language Program for 23 years. She also taught English at the Yeshiva University High Schools of Los Angeles and International School in Manila. She has also been an instructor in several subjects at the University of Santo Tomas, where she obtained her degrees.
Courtney Richardson
Courtney Richardson is a Salt Lake City based Delta Flight Attendant currently working her way from the cabin to the flight deck. She just finished up her Commercial Multi-Engine Certificate and is now working towards her Certified Flight Instructor Certificate. Courtney is an active member of the Utah chapter Ninety-Nines organization.
Carol Scherer
Carol Scherer, FO/777/DFW Retired 11/2018
Born and raised Eugene, OR
BS University of Oregon, 1975
ROTC Commission USAF
Texas A&M Meteorology program, AFIT
Private pilots license with Texas A&M aero club 1976
UPT 77-08 (First USAF pilot training class with women)
WC-130 Hurricane Hunters, Guam, Keesler 1978-1983
T-39, C-21 Ramstein AB,Germany 1983-1986
HQ MAC, Scott AFB, IL separated with 12 years USAF
Pan American Airways, Miami, FL, Flight Engineer B-727, 1987-1988
American Airlines, 1988-2018, pilot B-727, DC-10, S-80, B-767, B-777.
Retired 2018 with thirty years
As part of the AF UPT class of 77-08 Inducted into Women in Aviation International hall of fame March 12, 2016 and a display in National Museum of the USAF, Ohio, 11/2020.
Married 1987-present
One Daughter born 1989
Erica Schletz
I started flying when I was 16 years old and was immediately hooked. With my family’s support and encouragement and my Dad’s flying experience, that got me started with my first lesson. Since that point flying has pretty much lead my life-college, flight instructing, a regional airline career, and now a major airline career. It has had its challenges but has always proved rewarding, and I still love it. After a trip, I have the gift of coming home to an incredibly supportive and amazing husband and two smart and beautiful little girls. And I am so thankful that flying has lead my life to where it is now.
Erica Schletz
First Officer B737 SLC
My lifelong love of aviation was my inspiration for the haiku poems I submitted. As well as now finding happiness in the balance of such a rewarding career but also the unbelievable joy having a family has given me.
Kathy Shelton
My name is Kathy Shelton. I am currently a Captain flying the Boeing 737-800/MAX for American Airlines based in Los Angeles, CA. I have flown for American Airlines for 23 years. I fell in love with flying at a very young age. I grew up in an airline family. By my 21st Birthday, I walked on the Great Wall in China, rode camels around the Pyramids in Egypt and explored just about every country spanning the globe. When I traveled, I took notice of the professional flight crews boarding and departing the aircraft they flew. I thought to myself, “I want to fly jets”! That was my dream. Now I’m living that dream as Captain Kathy. Dream big, spread your wings and go for it.
Kristin Sito
I’m originally from Ohio, near Cleveland. I played college softball at Niagara University and went on to play and coach a team in Switzerland after graduating. I moved to Chicago in 2012 and became a flight attendant in 2013. After talking with enough pilots during lav breaks, one offered to take me up in her plane and I was hooked. I moved to Memphis to complete my ratings with the AA Cadet Academy before moving to Colorado to flight instruct.
How my submissions came about:
I have loved pirates since I was young and even got married on Halloween, in a pirate costume. I think it is wonderful how similar the words “pilot” and “pirate” sound. The ability to freely travel has always appealed to me and I believe that a person can achieve anything they want, if they work hard. Find inspiration wherever you can and run with it.
Name and affiliation:
Kristin Sito
CFI/CFII
KBJC
Shakar Soltani
Shakar graduated with a Bachelors of Business Administration in Marketing from Texas Woman’s University in 2017. Her senior year of college she interned in the marketing department for Southwest Airlines and shortly after became a Flight Attendant for a major airline. After seven months of working for the company, she met one of the 68 women pilots and the seed was planted. Shakar is now working on her ratings to become a professional pilot. However, aside from her career in aviation her greatest ambition is to serve the underserved and be the representation she wishes she saw when she grew up, which is what leads her to participate in multiple diversity projects and outreach programs.
Lynsey Steinberg
Lynsey Steinberg is one of the 300 board-certified medical illustrators in the nation working for Augusta University. It was during an undergrad equine anatomy class at the Savannah College of Art and Design where Lynsey realized her passion for the amalgamation of science and art and led her to a Masters of Science in Medical Illustration. Lynsey utilizes innovation and creative problem solving solutions for the benefit of enhancing education. She believes in impactful change through connections, collaborations, and innovation. It was through a friend that Lynsey learned about her passion for the challenges of learning to fly and began her journey to earning her private pilot’s license in 2020. In memory of her sister, Hayley.
Jessica Toddun
Hi my name is Jessica. I am 18 years old, and recently got my private pilot license from Sling training out of KTOA. I also got to fly into Oshkosh 2021 which was an incredible experience. I love flying, and plan to get my instrument rating in the future.
Madeline Ungurian
Madeline Ungurain is a 29-year old commercial pilot, professional chef, and single mom to twin boys. Madeline lives in the beautiful coast of British Columbia, Canada, and flies out of Squamish BC, where she works as a flight dispatcher. Madeline loves to write and volunteers a news coordinator for the BC Coast 99s, and has been involved with the 99s and Women in Aviation since she began flying five years ago. Madeline is currently working on her float and instructor ratings, and has aspirations to one day fulfill her dream of working as a missionary pilot, serving remote communities around the globe.
Mary Jo Zignego
Mary Jo Zignego has recently retired from a 31 year career as an airline pilot for American Airlines. She has traversed much of the globe and lived a life of high adventure and now looks forward to a new life of reading, writing and spending time with her adventurous grandchildren.
CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS
Christine Kryzat
I am a self-taught Connecticut-based artist, or as I like to call myself, “an extreme doodler.” I primarily work with acrylics, gouache and colored pencils, which I lay on paper rather than canvas. I often combine these mediums to create dimension and added detail in each piece of my artwork. My inspi¬ration comes mainly from the animals I find out¬side. I enjoy combining my love for animals with my love of art. It is hard for me to put down my paintbrush until I am done creating my furry, scaly or feathery interpretation that each animal has in¬spired. When I was young my parents took me to The Bronx Zoo, where several species of frogs trig¬gered an immediate fascination. For this reason, many of my pieces showcase my “hopping addic¬tion”. However, since not everyone shares my love for frogs, I make sure to incorporate many elements of the outside world to appeal to all animal and nature lovers. I only hope that each piece of my art is as exciting visually for you as it is for me to create!
Dipesh Patel
Dipesh Patel grew up in India, where he was raised by his mother and older sister. He moved to the U.S. as a teenager. After working a desk job, he decided to follow his childhood dream of traveling and flying. He’s been a pilot for twenty years and flying commercially for eighteen years with experience as a flight instructor, FOQA analyst, and FO on Airbus 320 series and Boeing 787.
Outside of flying, he is a spicy food connoisseur and enjoys sampling the hottest cuisine he can find across the globe. Always looking ahead, he enjoys reading inspiring biographies and is currently teaching himself computer coding. He loves being outdoors where he enjoys cycling, hiking, kayaking, and sailing, with the goal of sailing around the world. In addition to English, he speaks Gujarati, Hindi, and Marathi, and is learning Spanish. His favorite countries he’s visited are Japan and Scotland.
Priscilla Patterson
Priscilla Messner-Patterson and her husband make their home in the beautiful Idaho panhandle just outside Coeur d’Alene. After living for 23 years on rugged Kodiak Island in the Gulf of Alaska, they lived for several years on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington state before settling in Idaho. While in Kodiak, Priscilla taught art at Kodiak College for nearly 18 years. She painted wildlife, landscapes and still life before she began specializing in aviation related subjects in 1994. She is a member of the Coast Guard and Air Force Art Programs, the Canadian Aviation Artists Association and an award winning member of the American Society of Aviation Artists. Priscilla is also the recipient of the ASAA 2012 Luther Gore Distinguished Service Award.
Her husband, a former Navy and U.S. Fish & Wildlife pilot is her “best friend, biggest help and toughest critic.” Original paintings are featured in Alaska, Canada and the lower 48 states. Priscilla is one of forty women in business featured in the 2002 Alaska Journal of Commerce and has won numerous awards and honors in the aviation art community including the American Society of Aviation Artists, Simuflite and Aviation Week and Space Technology. She holds a certification in Composite Drawing for Law Enforcement through Stuart Parks Forensics of Cataldo, Idaho.
Nathalie Pauwels
A native of Orange County, California, Nathalie graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in English, and a minor in French. She was commissioned in May 2014 as a Naval Intelligence Officer.
Nathalie worked as an aviation intelligence analyst specializing in managing various ISR missions, deploying and supporting collection efforts across multiple geographic areas of responsibility.
Nathalie went through civilian flight training as part of the American Airlines Cadet Academy program. She started flight training in September 2019, and received her commercial pilot rating, with instrument and multi-engine add-ons, in addition to her Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI, CFI-Instrument) certificates and is a contracted instructor with the Jacksonville Navy Flying Club.
Nathalie has one dog, L. Ron, a corgi. He is her greatest pride in life and they love going to the beach together. They live in Jacksonville, FL for now. Nathalie enjoys observing the world and writing haiku. Her favorite season is Fall.
Karlene Petitt
Karlene Petitt, is an A350 pilot for an International airline. She is type rated on the A350, A330, B747-400, B747-200, B777, B767, B757, B737, and B727. She holds an MBA, MHS, and a PhD in Aviation. She is the author of Flight to Success, Be the Captain of Your Life, Normalization of Deviance, and an Aviation Thriller series that began with Flight For Control. A mother of three, grandmother of eight, she lives in Seattle Washington.
PhD. MBA. MHS.
Typed: A350, B777, A330, B747-400, B747-200, B767, B757, B737, B727,
Linsey Steinberg
Lynsey Steinberg is one of the 300 board-certified medical illustrators in the nation working for Augusta University. It was during an undergrad equine anatomy class at the Savannah College of Art and Design where Lynsey realized her passion for the amalgamation of science and art and led her to a Masters of Science in Medical Illustration. Lynsey utilizes innovation and creative problem solving solutions for the benefit of enhancing education. She believes in impactful change through connections, collaborations, and innovation. It was through a friend that Lynsey learned about her passion for the challenges of learning to fly and began her journey to earning her private pilot’s license in 2020. In memory of her sister, Hayley.
Sloan Alley
I have always loved art. It became a way to express myself when I felt that words could not. It also has become a way for me to escape the reality in front of me. I got involved in the Beyond Haiku Project because my dad is a fellow pilot and he got in contact with Captain Linda Pauwels for me. I am so grateful for him doing that because it has been so fun for me. I love being able to bring such poetry to life with my art. It is amazing to me to be able to see my art published in such a book. This truly meant alot to me, because this project gave me a chance to put my art out there while I am working towards an engineering degree.
Jude Batha
Jude Batha was born in Illinois in 2014 and moved to Texas when he was 2 years old.
He took his first airplane ride when he was six weeks old and has been an avid airplane fanatic ever since. He is fascinated by all things weather, flight and nature related. In his spare time he enjoys drawing, reading and building Legos.
Natalie Catlin
I love drawing. I have had a thing for art and drawing ever since I was about three years old. All the kids in my earlier classes comment how I am ‘The best artist ever!’. I also like to swim. I have been swimming ever since I could walk. I just love water so much. Blue is my favorite color, because it reminds me of the ocean. It took a lot of hard work to make this drawing, especially because of school. It also took a lot of brainstorming. What does this poem make me think of? What colors does it need? I like a LOT of color, and that’s why I made the sky in my drawing four different colors. I call it Tie-Dye in the Sky.
Thanks so much for entering our poem/drawing in the book!
Callista Chabot
Sophia Downard
Leo & Leilani Garcia-Verdugo
Leo and Leilani, 8 years old, are very lively twins born in Las Palmas (Canary Islands) Living far from the mainland, they have been used to flying since they were babies and due to dad’s job as a scientist, they lead a nomad life, moving again now for the fourth time. They love airplanes, not only because mum flies and enjoys talking to them about aviation. It’s during flights when they got used to grabbing a pencil and a paper and amazing everyone with their beautiful drawings. They are also great at designing all types of ships with their Lego pieces, their favourite toys.
They love books too, and are very excited to participate in this one!
Jacob Govin
Jacob Govin is a 10-year-old fifth grader from San Antonio, TX. He is the twin brother of fellow artist Joseph. He has been drawing and creating original comics since kindergarten. He answered the invitation to provide art to the first book in the Beyond Haiku series and is excited to be part of the second.
Joseph Govin
Joseph Govin is a ten year old fifth grader that enjoys animating. He was invited to provide an illustration for the first book after his father, a pilot working for American Airlines, told him “Hey you should do this.” He finds inspiration to animate from watching youtube videos. He hopes one day to be an astronaut for NASA. His hobbies include shooting his brother with Nerf guns, animating, playing piano and watching youtube and Ducktales.
Lily Jean Graver
Contributing artist Lily Jean Graver is a 13 year old aspiring pilot. She is an avid reader with future plans that also include writing books for young adults as well. Although her contribution is artwork, Lily actually enjoys writing more, and like all great writers, she keeps a notebook with her at all times.
Lily enjoys Soccer and Lacrosse and excels in math. She is very independent and has traveled extensively at her young age. The 7th grader has already traveled to 35 different countries and is very well versed on how to be an international traveler. She resides in Franklin, TN with her mother, Beth Harris, who is a 787 First Officer with American Airlines.
Kinley Johnson
My name is Kinley Johnson, I’m thirteen years old and just started 8th grade in Plano TX. I really enjoy art, mostly coloring and painting especially with my Mom.
I also am an avid soccer player, and just joined a new team that will travel across the country playing other teams, I’m really excited for the season to start and to meet my new teammates.
But most of all I’m looking forward to High School next year where I’ll have the chance to take more challenging art classes and also compete on the girls High School soccer team.
Sebastian Molina
Sebastian Molina is a 12 year-old living with his parents, Marlon and Katherin in Fountainebleau, FL. The 7th grader loves watercolors and drawing , as evidenced by his work in this publication. His other hobbies include his own YouTube channel, where he posts various videos he has filmed, edited and narrated. He also plays piano and is learning guitar and enjoys football and all forms of sports! Sebastian spends a lot of his time volunteering with his church , loves animals and enjoys rollerblading with his Dad. He excels in Mathematics and won an award as a 6th grader, taking 3rd place in a math competition against 7th and 8th graders. His future plans involve Architecture and Engineering studies .
Sebastian is well traveled, having been to the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, The Azores and Guatemala, where his family is from . He loves airplanes and enjoys flying his own Flight Simulator at home.
Scarlett O'Malley
Scarlett O’Malley is an eighth grader currently living in Sarasota, FL. She enjoys swimming, reading, drawing and baking cookies. Scarlett was honored to draw both the rose and planet for the cover of Beyond Haiku: Pilots Write Poetry and contribute to a great cause. She’s equally as excited to be a part of the next book in the Beyond Haiku series: Women Pilots Write Poetry. Scarlett is an active member of the Tampa Bay Chapter of Women in Aviation International and became interested in aviation though her father who is a pilot.
Rebecca Peitz
My name is Rebecca Peitz and I’m currently 16 years old in 10th grade and an aspiring artist. I love working in different creative arts such as crafting, painting, digital art, drawing, animation, and many other mediums. I hope to one day work in some form of artistic job. My family is always supportive of all my work no matter how messy it can make my room. They always help to get my artwork out into the world and I couldn’t think of a better way to show others my work than these books. I was very excited when I was told I would have the opportunity to illustrate a poem for this book. Furthermore, when I was told to think of an old-time style for inspiration I knew exactly what to do. A sepia colored, rustic looking photo as if it was from the 1930s. This piece depicts a woman looking mysteriously into the distance, I feel this is a perfect way to represent this princess from long ago.
Fiona Pfeiffer
Fiona Pfeiffer was born in July 6, 2010. From an early age she enjoyed exploring her environment. From figuring out the mechanics of a toy, the fun beauty of the arts to the sound of instruments. Her exploration grew into different passions. She’s currently is enrolled in a three week theater camp fostering her skills of acting, dancing, and creativity. She also explores the world around her and the need for kindness. Every year she has volunteered with Pilot for Kids for their Christmas holiday party to help needy families at a local church. She traveled to Nicaragua to help build schools and is a strong advocate for her autistic brother.
Her family is proud to see her continue to blossom to a talented, kind individual. She contributed her art work for Linda Pauwels’ first book, Beyond Haiku: Pilots Write Poetry. Fiona is thrilled and honored to show her artwork once again on Women Pilots Write Poetry.
Collin Robinson
Collin Robinson is a 10 year old 5th grader and is the grandson of Capt. Robert Sproc. He was invited to contribute his illustration over dinner at Catch of the Day in Miami while telling CA Linda Pauwles about his affinity and desire for a corgi puppy. Linda’s daughter has a corgi so they bonded over this shared appreciation for the cute dog breed. Other than constantly watching online corgi videos, Collin enjoys riding his road bike & playing with nerf guns. He also listens to Harry Potter audio books nightly.
Natalia Rojas Bolaños
MISSING BIONatalia Rojas Bolaños was born in Mexico city, she has 3 siblings and is 12 years old. She is in sixth grade. Both of her parents are pilots, her dad flies a Boeing 737 and her mom flies a Embraer 190.
Natalia enjoys dancing and drawing and on her free time she enjoys taking care of her dogs and ducks. She loves animals.
Phoenix Rose
Phoenix Rose is a student athlete living in the Metro Denver Area in Colorado. She is a 7th grader who also enjoys competitive swimming, drawing, reading, dancing, and hanging out with friends. In the future, she hopes to travel to far away beaches and perfect her photography skills along the way. For this illustration, “Tail Dragon” Phoenix was inspired by her Nonnie K’s airplane. She imagined Nonnie K flying her plane and it morphing to a fierce dragon that could fly across oceans and mountains and deserts!
Kennedy Ruhland
Kennedy, 17, is a senior at Legacy High School located in Mansfield, Texas. She is a member of the National Honor Society and is a drum major for the band. She participates as President of the Environmental Club at school. Outside of school she volunteers at Mission Arlington as well as plays orchestra for her church. When asked why she wanted to do this project she stated, “I was interested because I love doing art and it remains one of my favorite hobbies. I love getting creative juices flowing through drawing.”
Giullianna Ruiz
Giullianna is an 11-year old artist, chef that loves adventure. She finds joy in outdoor adventures, spending time with her beautiful Pomeranian puppy “Blanquita” or challenging her 15-year old brother in video games. She loves to make things happen and has a drive that is inspiring to everyone that meets her.
Grace Somarriba
Grace Sommarriba Barrientos is a 13-year old honors student whose favorite subject is math . The 8th grader plays volleyball for her middle school team in her native Miami FL.. She has played the violin and performed singing as an elementary school student in the past and has enjoyed costume modeling and dancing . Her preferred artwork medium is painting, but also draws and creates collage art. Grace’s hobbies include roller skating , riding the Hulk One at the Islands of Adventure Universal Theme Park and spending time with her dog Sussie who is a Morkie (Maltese/Yorkue). Grace loves all animals as well, especially horses . Her future career plans are to become a cardiologist someday. She spends time with both her parents, and lives with her mom in Miami , FL.
Skye Stauffer
Skye Stauffer enjoys creating. Any medium is exciting, and any opportunities to fuel the creative spark in her head thrill her. She loves traveling with her family because she always finds something worth capturing on canvas. Skye’s art isn’t limited to her hands. She is also a 3rd degree black belt in taekwondo, and an actress/singer/dancer. Telling stories whether onstage or on paper, that’s where Skye excels. Thanks, Dad, for responding to Capt. Pauwels! Thanks, Capt. Pauwels for the opportunity!
Skye’s submission came about after her dad responded to Capt. Linda Pauwels’ solicitation for children of pilots to help create works for an aviation themed poetry book – Beyond Haiku. A submission for Women Pilots Write Poetry soon followed.
Meghan Strand
Meghan Strand is a high achieving honor student, class of 2023, currently living in Fort Mill, SC . At age 15, she already has more honors and achievements than many people twice her age. In addition to being recognized as an Honor Student, she has achieved becoming a Beta Club member, and received the Girl Scout Medal of Honor for a lifesaving act! She has her Bronze and Silver Girl Scout awards and is currently working on her gold award. She also has the Presidential Volunteer of Service Award, including the bronze, silver and gold levels. In addition to her awards and achievements, Meghan is also a competitive gymnast. Her future plans include a Major in Sports Medicine as an athletic trainer at FSU, and then a career as a Sports Medicine Chiropractor.
Her art has been recognized in the National Art Honor Society and has been on display at numerous local galleries.
Her mother is an American Airlines 777 FO based in Charlotte.
Zoe & Jazelle Streng
Zoe and and Jazelle Streng are twin daughters of Isabelle Hubbard. Zoe loves drawing and baking, Jazelle loves reading and shopping. They both love playing with their dolls, gymnastics, swimming, spending time on the ranch taking care of the animals, and traveling with their mama.
Zoe and and Jazelle Streng are twin daughters of Isabelle Hubbard. Zoe loves drawing and baking, Jazelle loves reading and shopping. They both love playing with their dolls, gymnastics, swimming, spending time on the ranch taking care of the animals, and traveling with their mama.
Isabela Ugarte-Marquez
Isabela Ugarte Marquez was born in Mexico. She is a 12-year-old sensitive girl who loves doing arts and crafts, editing videos and dancing (she is a member of the school dance team).
She is currently attending 6th grade at Colegio Williams in Cuernavaca. She speaks Spanish and English.
COMING SOON!
New Books in the BEYOND HAIKU Book Series…
BEYOND HAIKU: SEASONS OF A PILOT'S LIFE
A new edition featuring the different seasons and experiences of a pilot’s life!
BEYOND HAIKU: MILITARY PILOTS WRITE POETRY
A new and unique edition featuring military pilots writing haiku and short poems on themes of their military experiences!
Copyright. © 2021. Linda Pauwels