Avis Aqua – Issue I
ISSUE I
DAVIS A&M / ARGONAUT NEWS
MARCH 2025
WE'RE BACK!
After a two year hiatus, Avis Aqua is back in circulation.
WE HAVE MISSED YOU!
After a two-year hiatus, the Avis Aqua newsletter is making a highly anticipated return, bringing back a vital source of news, updates, and stories from the Davis A&M community. Designed to highlight our maritime and aviation programs, student achievements, and industry insights, Avis Aqua will once again serve as a platform to keep students, staff, and supporters informed and engaged. With a refreshed look and a renewed focus on storytelling, the newsletter aims to strengthen connections within the school and beyond.
This edition features exciting new sections: On the Horizon, which highlights upcoming events, and a Student Section, which features Davis A&M students’ work.
Additionally, the newsletter will showcase student spotlights, programming updates, and expert insights from industry professionals. As the newsletter returns, we encourage students and staff to get involved, share their stories, and help shape the future of Avis Aqua. It’s time to dive back in!
ON THE HORIZON
GET EXCITED FOR SUNSET ON THE HARBOR
Join us for our annual fundraiser, Sunset on the Harbor, on September 5th, that benefits Davis Aerospace and Maritime High School and their programming!
GEAR UP FOR THE ROBOTICS COMPETITION
- Miami Valley Regional Competition: March 26th-29th @ Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH
- Buckeye Regional Competition: April 2nd-April 5th @ CSU Wolstein Center, Cleveland, OH
Both competitions are free to the public. Bring the whole family to watch some robots compete. Learn more about the Cleveland Robotics initiative HERE!
UPCOMING FAB SATURDAY DATES
Visit the Davis A&M Fab Lab for community projects.
April 12th 2025 (Project TBA)
May 17th 2025 (Project TBA)
Both Dates: 11am-2pm
HIGHLIGHTED PARTNERS
The Port of Cleveland has awarded Argonaut $110,000
The Port of Cleveland has awarded Argonaut $110,000 in funding from the community investment fund. The funding will support the expansion of our maritime safety programming, offer additional training and opportunities for Davis A&M students.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has awarded Argonaut $28,158
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has awarded Argonaut a $28,158 boater safety education grant. The funding will support the Argonaut mission of empowering and educating the next generation of maritime leaders.
IN THIS EDITION
HANDS-ON LEARNING TAKES FLIGHT AND SETS SAIL WITH DAVIS STUDENTS
Students at Davis A&M are excelling in aviation, maritime, and robotics programs. From aircraft upgrades and pontoon restoration to robotics competitions, hands-on projects are providing real-world skills and career opportunities.
EXPANDING STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES
THROUGH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Davis A&M students benefit from internships, industry partnerships, and new technology programs like drone soccer and wetland restoration. With strong community support, they are gaining valuable experience and shaping their futures.
THE STUDENT SECTION
This modern-day take on Cupid’s story was written by Kaylin Gool, a freshman with a passion for reimagining mythology.
Once upon a time, there was a teenager named Cupid. Cupid was the son of Venus, the goddess of love, and Mars, the God of war. Cupid was always dwelling on and on about love; maybe it’s because he knows what it feels like to be in love.
Cupid was on his way to do his job when he saw the most stunning girl in all of Ancient Rome. This girl had golden blonde hair and skin glowing so bright that she could be mistaken for a star. Cupid introduced himself to the girl and found out her name was Psyche.
Cupid asked if he could take Psyche out for coffee sometime and to his surprise, she said yes. They walked to the nearest coffee shop together for the rest of the week, but Venus caught on that Cupid wasn’t doing his job.
Venus called her son into her office and scolded him without hearing him out. Cupid found that he fell in love with Psyche, even though he was supposed to help others fall in love. Cupid mustered up the courage to tell his mother about Psyche.
A couple of days later, Cupid introduced Psyche to his mother, which turned out to be a mistake because Venus didn’t like Psyche very much. She made it seem like Psyche wasn’t good enough for her son’s love, so she ordered Cupid to make her fall in love with someone other than him. Cupid protested and continued to love Psyche, so Venus took matters into her own hands. Venus forced Psyche to stop seeing her son and threatened to kill her. I mean, if you were being threatened by your lover’s mother, you would get out of there immediately, right? This led to Psyche ghosting Cupid completely. Cupid took it as she suddenly didn’t like him anymore and Venus took that as a chance to feed into his confusion and manipulate him.
Cupid vowed to his mother that he would never fall in love again.
PROGRAMMING UPDATES
MARITIME CLUB EMBARKS ON EXCITING PONTOON BOAT RESTORATION PROJECT
The Davis A&M Maritime Club has launched an exciting new initiative: the restoration of a classic pontoon boat that once played a key role in the club’s fleet. After years of wear and tear, the vessel needs significant repairs. Club members have come together with a shared goal—to bring the boat back to life. The project allows students to develop valuable skills in boat maintenance, problem-solving, and teamwork while contributing to the club’s future. Once completed, the restored pontoon will provide new opportunities for students to explore the water, participate in educational activities, and engage with the maritime community.
Stay tuned for updates as the restoration progresses.
DAVIS A&M ROBOTICS TEAM 8222 GEARS UP FOR COMPETITION SEASON
The Davis A&M Robotics Team 8222 is preparing to put their skills to the test in two major competitions this season. Since kicking off their season in January, the team has been hard at work designing, building, and programming a robot to compete in this year’s FIRST FRC Reefscape competition. Now, with months of dedication behind them, they are eager to showcase their creation on the big stage.
The team will be competing at the Miami Valley Regional Competition followed by the Buckeye Regional Competition (see more in the On the Horizon section). Both events are free and open to the public and a fantastic opportunity for family, friends, and robotics enthusiasts to cheer on the team as they take on the challenge.
Follow the team’s progress, behind-the-scenes content, and competition updates on their Instagram page @the_argonauts8222.
AVIATION CLUB SOARS WITH AIRCRAFT UPGRADES, STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS, AND HANDS-ON LEARNING
The Davis A&M Aviation Club has been making significant upgrades and repairs to its aircraft while celebrating major student accomplishments. Some of the recent activities include:
- Upgrading the aircraft’s cockpit and exhaust system.
- Replacing the oil and filter and conducting several inspections.
- Restoring two gas-powered remote-control aircraft.
Learning structural repair, engine maintenance, and the importance of adjusted flight controls. Preparing for the upcoming aircraft annual inspection this spring.
Our students have reached remarkable milestones:
- Noah and Raphael played an essential role in these maintenance efforts, gaining valuable hands-on experience in aircraft upkeep.
- Geremy and Sebastian were rewarded with a special flight to Carrollton, OH, recognizing their outstanding attendance.
- Randy and Montie have completed all Private Pilot Training requirements. They are waiting to take their final exam and officially earn their pilot’s licenses.
With so many hands-on learning experiences and student achievements, the Davis A&M Aviation Club continues to soar to new heights!
Fab Lab Innovations: From Skate Club to Soldering & Beyond!
The Fab Lab is buzzing with creativity as students take on a variety of exciting hands-on projects. Whether it’s designing and building custom skateboards, experimenting with new soldering techniques, or working on personal passion projects, there’s always something in the works.
Meanwhile, students diving into soldering and electronics are gaining valuable hands-on experience with circuits and wiring. Learning to solder opens the door to a deeper understanding of electronics, allowing students to work on everything from repairing devices to building custom tech projects.
In Skate Club, students are applying their engineering and design skills to create custom skate decks. From shaping and sanding the boards to adding personalized artwork, this project blends craftsmanship with creativity, allowing students to build something they can truly call their own.
With so much happening in the Fab Lab, the possibilities for learning and innovation are endless. Stay tuned for more updates on the incredible projects.
EMPOWERING STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES: EXCITING PROGRAMS AND PARTNERSHIPS FOR A BRIGHT FUTURE
Since the beginning of the school year in August, multiple students have had the opportunity to engage in various programs across the Greater Cleveland area. These exciting ventures include participating in the MAGNET Early College Early Career (ECEC) Program, the Cleveland Metroparks Fellowship Program, and internships at Cleveland State University.
During the summer, we have worked diligently with Youth Opportunities Unlimited to secure jobs for our students in various career fields. Our Argonaut team will operate and staff worksites such as Flotsam, Jetsam, 2543 Marine Safety Boat, and our Fabrication Lab.
A huge thank you to our community partners, United Airlines, Goodtime III, and the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority, who agreed to host some of our students over the summer. Our students are extremely excited to work alongside these amazing companies. We look forward to an incredible Summer!
EMPOWERING STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES: EXCITING PROGRAMS AND PARTNERSHIPS FOR A BRIGHT FUTURE
Over the past year, we have been collaborating with Littoral Services, LLC, on a wetland restoration project. Three of our senior students had the opportunity to see the project through to completion. They learned how to operate Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), including developing a flight plan, capturing imagery, and creating orthomosaics. This hands-on experience provided them with valuable skills in the UAS field.
Thank you to Littoral Services and their team for allowing us to be part of this amazing project and mission!
Additionally, all of our students in the Argonaut Drone Club are gearing up to build our own Drone Soccer arena at Davis. We look forward to the start of the first Argonaut & Davis Soccer Team!
THE DEEPER DIVE
As we move into the final stretch of our 2024-2025 school year at the Davis Aerospace and Maritime High School, I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the incredible progress we’ve made together. Thanks to your ongoing support, we’ve experienced consistent growth and continue to achieve new milestones in empowering the next generation of aerospace and maritime leaders. Our students, faculty and staff continue to exceed expectations, and the launch of the Avis Aqua newsletter will allow you to celebrate these successes with us.
Next school year, our Davis Aerospace and Maritime High School student body will surpass 300 enrolled. We’re thrilled to welcome our new students and families and look forward to learning about the unique talents and perspectives each will bring. With your help, we will continue to provide an engaging space where all students feel valued and inspired to pursue their passions on the water and in the skies.
Behind the scenes the leadership of Davis A&M and Argonaut continue to explore new and innovative ways to support our teachers, students and families. This involves continuous assessment and adjustment of curriculum, staffing and partnerships to maximize success. We continue to cultivate our network of partnerships with local businesses, industry, educational institutions, and community leaders. These collaborations continue to open doors for internships, mentorships, and hands-on learning experiences. Davis A&M students are gaining invaluable real-world skills that will serve them well in their future endeavors.
As we continue to grow, we are planning new initiatives to further support our students. This includes enhancing our after-school programs, launching new summer work experiences, and expanding career-readiness and certification programs. We are excited by what the future holds for our students and are grateful to have you by our side.
Our Davis A&M / Argonaut team couldn’t do this without your continued support, and I want to express my deepest gratitude for your continued belief in our mission. Together, we are not just building greats program; we are building an extraordinary future for our kids.
Thank you for being a part of this exciting adventure.
-Drew
Activate adventure. Ignite interest. Support students.
Argonaut is working to educate and equip adventurers, inspire interest and entry into aerospace and maritime fields, and strengthen our region’s economy through career development and employment opportunities in local industries. While we have made incredible progress, we have more work to do and students to reach. Become an education advocate with a donation.
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