Stanzel Museum Leads Youth to “Girls in Aviation Day” at Lone Star Flight Museum

Six enthusiastic young ladies from Schulenburg, Weimar, and La Grange joined Stanzel Museum leaders Cynthia Fogleman and Melanie Ramirez for Girls in Aviation Day at the Lone Star Flight Museum in Houston.

Hosted annually by Women in Aviation International (WAI), the event welcomed more than 500 participants from across the Houston Metroplex. The day offered hands-on activities, educational exhibits, and meaningful conversations with female professionals representing every corner of the aviation industry.

“This event is a powerful opportunity to open doors for young girls who may never have imagined a career in aviation,” said Cynthia Fogleman, Director of the Stanzel Model Aircraft Museum. “By bringing our youth here, we’re planting seeds of curiosity and confidence.”

Throughout the day, the group explored aircraft up close, tried out flight simulators, learned about the science of flight, and heard personal stories from women breaking barriers in the field. One of the highlights came when St. Rose student Ava Boston bravely stepped up to the microphone during the professional panel discussion and asked, “What made you want to be a pilot?”

Her question was answered by none other than astronaut Dr. Bonnie Dunbar, who shared: “Growing up on a farm in Iowa I could see the Milky Way and I actually got to see the Soviet’s Sputnik 1 satellite glide across the night sky. I knew then I wanted to be a pilot and someday get to space.”

Her response carried extra meaning for the girls, as Dr. Dunbar also grew up in rural America, just like Emmalyn, Ella, Rebecca, Ava, Jade, and Vyvynne. Dr. Dunbar is an inspiring example of how dreams can grow from even the quietest corners of our country into extraordinary achievements.

One participant, Ella Pekar, shared her biggest takeaway from the day: “I learned from Captain Michelle Boeding that learning to fly is easier than learning to drive.”

Families also found the event inspiring. Ginger Friemel, who attended with her granddaughter, expressed her excitement about the experience: “My granddaughter Vyvynne wants to be a pilot and being able to attend an event such as this is very inspiring. I enjoyed hearing all the girls talk about their favorite part on the way home.”

Another parent, Maria Camacho, reflected on the impact the event had on both her and her daughter Rebecca: “I love everything about airplanes and how engineering plays a huge role in building each of them in a unique way. It was very touching hearing all the professionals talk about their journeys in their respective careers. My oldest daughter Rebecca loved all the hands-on STEM activities and especially meeting and getting the autographs of all the professional panelists.”

The Lone Star Flight Museum’s impressive collection of vintage aircraft and modern aviation technology served as a dynamic backdrop for the day’s activities.

For the Stanzel Model Aircraft Museum, whose mission is to preserve and promote the legacy of model aircraft aviation pioneers Victor and Joe Stanzel, the trip reflects a growing commitment to educational outreach and youth engagement, particularly in the STEM fields.

“The Stanzel brothers were dreamers, inventors, innovators, and entrepreneurs,” Fogleman added. “Events like Girls in Aviation Day are an extension of their legacy encouraging young minds of today to reach for the skies and now even beyond our own atmosphere to the final frontier of space.”

Melanie Ramirez, Program Director of the Stanzel Family Foundation, emphasized the importance of continuing that legacy: “Our goal is to create experiences that inspire the next generation, especially young women, to see themselves in STEM careers. Days like this remind us that aviation isn’t just about airplanes; it’s about opening minds and building futures.”

Girls in Aviation Day is celebrated internationally each year, connecting tens of thousands of girls with opportunities and mentorship in aviation and aerospace. The Lone Star Flight Museum, in partnership with the WAI Houston Chapter, has become a key regional site for the event, drawing strong attendance and community This trip, part of the Stanzel Museum’s ongoing STEM initiative, highlights the importance of exposing youth, especially young women, to fields where they have been historically underrepresented. A special thank-you goes to Schuber driver Lisa Patten, whose care and professionalism ensured the Stanzel attendees traveled safely to and from the event.

For more information about the Stanzel Model Aircraft Museum visit www.stanzelmuseum. org.

The museum will continue its STEM outreach with Drone Education Day on Saturday, November 22, 2025, from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Families can register by emailing: cynthia@ stanzelmuseum.org.