Coast Guard Pilot Lands at Deering High to Provide Inspiration

Cindy Williams, Anchor/Reporter

3 months ago

PORTLAND (NEWS CENTER) -- The schools in the Deering neighborhood of Portland had an alum, drop in from the sky today.

Lt. Gabe Somma circled Longfellow Elementary and Deering High School today, before landing his Coast Guard rescue helicopter in the fields behind the school where he used to play ball.

Lt. Somma has come back to his alma mater in years past to speak to students about reaching for their dreams.

Today he wanted to show off the hardware that comes with his.

The students got the climb in the cockpit and ask all the questions they wanted.

Teachers say it is a valuable teaching tool to have someone who has done so well, to come back to their school and inspire younger students.

Lt. Somma says no one ever told him how to become a pilot.He didn't know what educational path he needed to follow. He says if he can share his experience and get student interested in what he's doing on the right path, that's great.