September 1, 2026 4:58 am
The first stage of the D. Mitchell Interiors, Inc. mural project is complete! Thank you to Pigeon River Artists for their talented work and Krueger Sign & Electric for donating the time to install it! This is one of four in a series so be on the lookout for more!
Pictured are representatives from D. Mitchell Interiors, Inc., Onward Clintonville, Pigeon River Artists, the City of Clintonville, WI and Clintonville VFW Post 664.
Teamwork makes the dreamwork! This is the perfect example of what your contributions to Onward are doing to help improve our downtown! 👏👏👏
Congratulations to Woodside Financial Services on being the winner of the 250 Free Ad Giveaway from WPAK 106.9!
To those who did not win this time, local radio is a still a great place to advertise! Consider reaching out to them for all the affordable options that are available! Contact wpaksales@gmail.com today!
Clintonville Public School District Launches New Aviation & Aeronautics Club for Students in Grades 7–12
Clintonville, WI – September 4, 2026 – Students in grades 7–12 at Clintonville Public School District will soon have the opportunity to explore the exciting world of aviation and aerospace through a new Aviation & Aeronautics Club, officially launching this school year.
The club was born from a vision by Clintonville science teacher and EAA Chapter 1710 member Greg Rose, who saw an opportunity to bring aviation, STEM education and hands-on learning together for local students. With support from EAA Chapter 1710, the program is quickly taking flight.
“Greg had a vision for what an aviation program could become for students in Clintonville, and our chapter wanted to do everything we could to help make that vision a reality,” said Mathieu Labs, President of EAA Chapter 1710. “Aviation is so much more than flying airplanes. There are opportunities in engineering, manufacturing, maintenance, air traffic control, logistics, business, technology, communications and countless other fields. We want students to see those possibilities.”
Hands-On Aviation Experiences
EAA Chapter 1710 has already begun providing equipment and resources for students to gain hands-on experience. The chapter donated AMA Alpha Balsa Gliders, a remote-control Cub aircraft, and a Flite Test Simple Scout XL MKR2 that students will build and eventually fly at the local Shawano AMA flying field.
The club will also incorporate resources from EAA AeroEducate, a free K–12 aviation and aerospace education program that provides STEM activities, hands-on projects and pathways for students to explore aviation-related careers.
The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) will also play an important role in the program, providing opportunities for students to learn about model aviation and experience the fundamentals of flight. AMA supports STEM education and youth participation in model aviation through its network of clubs and flying sites.
From Building Airplanes to Exploring Careers
Students participating in the club will have opportunities to participate in a variety of aviation-related activities throughout the school years, including:
- Young Eagles Experience, One-on-One Flight in the Cockpit
- Helping build EAA Chapter 1710’s Hi-Max homebuilt aircraft
- Building and flying radio-controlled aircraft
- Visiting air traffic control towers
- Touring aircraft manufacturing facilities
- Hearing from guest speakers working in different areas of aviation and aerospace
- Exploring aviation careers and educational pathways
- Participating in hands-on STEM activities through EAA AeroEducate
- Learning about aircraft construction, aerodynamics and flight
- Visiting local airports and aviation facilities
Strong Student Interest from the Start
The excitement surrounding the new club was evident immediately.
Members of EAA Chapter 1710 attended the Clintonville High School freshman orientation on Monday, August 31, where students could learn more about the new program. Approximately 20% of the freshman class signed up to participate.
That early response demonstrates the strong interest among local students in exploring aviation and hands-on STEM opportunities.
“This is exactly the kind of program we hoped students would get excited about,” Rose said. “Aviation brings together science, technology, engineering, mathematics, creativity and problem-solving. Students can build something, fly something, take things apart, understand how they work and start thinking about careers they may never have considered before.”
Aviation Is About More Than Being a Pilot
While becoming a pilot is an obvious aviation career, the industry offers a tremendous variety of opportunities.
Aircraft need to be designed, engineered, manufactured, maintained and inspected. Airports need managers, operations specialists, mechanics and air traffic controllers. Airlines and aviation businesses need people working in logistics, marketing, finance, technology, medical, lawyers, customer service and management.
“Aviation touches almost every industry,” said Labs “Whatever career a student is interested in, there is a good chance there is an aviation connection somewhere.”
EAA Chapter 1710 hopes the new club will give students an opportunity to discover those connections while developing practical skills and confidence through hands-on experiences. The chapter has already seen the impact that aviation can have on young people through its Young Eagles program and other youth initiatives. The new Aviation & Aeronautics Club represents another step in the chapter’s commitment to bringing aviation education directly into the local community.
And for some Clintonville students, that journey may begin by simply building a small airplane and watching it take flight.
EAA Chapter 1710, based in Clintonville, WI, continues to grow as a vibrant hub for aviation enthusiasts, offering hands-on building projects, educational programs, and community events that inspire the next generation of aviators. They hold monthly gatherings on the third Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m.
For additional information about EAA Chapter 1710 activities and upcoming events, please contact the chapter directly or follow the chapter’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/EAAChapter1710
Contact:
Mathieu Labs
President, EAA Chapter 1710
EAAChapter1710@gmail.com
Facebook.com/EAAChapter1710
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Creating Lifelong Memories: 50 Young Eagles Take Flight with EAA Chapter 1710
Clintonville, WI – September 12, 2026 – On Saturday morning, September 12th, EAA Chapter 1710 proudly hosted its Back to School Young Eagles Rally, introducing 50 enthusiastic youth to the exciting world of aviation.
Volunteer pilots Isaac Follett, Mathieu Labs, Noah Lencki, Walker Malo, Michael Ryszkiewicz, Joshua Suehs, and Alan Taylor provided unforgettable introductory flights departing from Clintonville Municipal Airport. Each flight included a scenic route over Pine Lake, offering participants a memorable first experience in the sky.
The excitement extended beyond the flights, as young participants eagerly took turns in the cockpit, many for the very first time. Following their flight, each youth received a certificate of participation, a personal pilot logbook, and an AeroEducate aviation handbook filled with resources to continue their aviation journey.
Through the Young Eagles program, participants also gain access to a comprehensive educational package, including a free EAA Student Membership, complimentary access to Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course, a free introductory flight lesson, and coverage for the FAA Knowledge Exam, together valued at over $600.
The Chapter’s new flight simulator was a huge hit! A special thank you to Bank First for their generous donation and support, and to the 20 ground volunteers who gave their time and helped make the event a success. We truly appreciate everyone who pitched in!
Chapter Member and Volunteer Darrell Hansen shared his excitement:
“Was a beautiful day!! Great smiles by all!! If you have children and they have an interest in planes or flying make sure to bring them around the next time we do our Young Eagles event. As I said smiles all around. They get a logbook with their time logged. And we now have a flight simulator at the Airport here in Clintonville.”
A special congratulations goes to Walker Malo, who celebrated a milestone moment by flying his first Young Eagle.
This event was made possible thanks to the outstanding support of members from EAA Chapter 1710, the City of Clintonville Municipal Airport staff, the Clintonville School District, DC Aviation, the Clintonville Chamber of Commerce, EAA, and sponsors including the Wisconsin Department of Transportation Bureau of Aeronautics, AOPA, and AVEMCO.
Young Eagles flights are available year-round for youth ages 8 to 17. To learn more or schedule a flight, contact EAA Chapter 1710 at eaachapter1710@gmail.com.
EAA Chapter 1710, based in Clintonville, WI, continues to grow as a vibrant hub for aviation enthusiasts, offering hands-on building projects, educational programs, and community events that inspire the next generation of aviators. They hold monthly gatherings on the third Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m.
For additional information about EAA Chapter 1710 activities and upcoming events, please contact the chapter directly or follow the chapter’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/EAAChapter1710
Contact:
Mathieu Labs
President, EAA Chapter 1710
EAAChapter1710@gmail.com
Facebook.com/EAAChapter1710
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