South Natomas kids learn about high-flying careers

As a point guard for the WNBA Sacramento Monarchs, Ticha Penicheiro flies through defenses to score again and again.

As a pilot for Southwest Airlines, Capt. Patricia Bomberger, of Granite Bay, flies to 63 cities across the nation.

Last week, both landed at Bannon Creek Elementary School in South Natomas to speak about the importance of preparing for bright careers.

"It's important to have big dreams and to believe in those dreams," Penicheiro, 33, told a fifth-grade class.

"You can be anything you want to be," she added, urging students to do their homework and pursue academic excellence.

Bomberger, 51, said many professions, her own included, require teamwork.

"Just as Ticha has teammates, I have teammates," said Bom-berger, a retired Air Force pilot.

"I can't do my job at all without any of these people," she emphasized, pointing at several Southwest Airlines ground personnel.

The group included Debra Jones, a customer service agent who, among other things, sells flight tickets, and Tom Kato, a ramp agent who directs arriving aircraft.

This is the second year that Bomberger has visited Bannon Creek Elementary as part of Southwest Airlines' Adopt-A-Pilot Program, which teaches physical and mental fitness.

In return for being "adopted" last year by Sue Addington's fifth-grade class, Bomberger delivered lessons on how to make it in aviation.

Last month, Bomberger was matched with Addington's new fifth-graders.

After visiting the class at least twice, she returned last week with Penicheiro.

"This is the first time that one of the Monarchs has spoken to my students," said Addington, delighted that both the captain and Penicheiro had stopped by.

Celebrating its 11th year, the Southwest Airlines mentorship program allows pilots to volunteer in adoptive classrooms.

"The pilots share information with the students to give them a better understanding of the skills needed to become pilots or work in the aviation industry," said Chris Rupprecht, ground operations manager for Southwest Airlines at Sacramento International Airport.

"They give the students something to aim for in the future," he said.

A few select locations, including Sacramento, were chosen for "assists" by Women's National Basketball Association speakers, Rupprecht said, explaining Penicheiro's presence.

This spring, more than 25,000 students nationwide are participating in the four-week program.

As they fly across America, the pilots correspond with each class via e-mail. Some also send postcards.

Among other exercises, Addington's 30 students have assumed the roles of tourists, researching details about New Orleans, Baltimore and other cities where Bomberger flies.

"This program has broadened my students' horizons," Addington said, emphasizing that she encourages her students to explore all careers. "I always tell them the sky's the limit for professions."

Besides echoing that theme, Penicheiro said that despite her athletic talents, she will not play forever.

"I can't play until I'm 60," she told the students. "I may play three or four more years, I don't know."

Once she retires from the WNBA, Penicheiro will have something else to fall back on: her bachelor's degree in communications from Old Dominion University.

About the writer:

• Call The Bee's Edgar Sanchez, (916) 321-1088.