As students rushed out to the staff parking lot, two Blackhawk helicopters touched down behind Hays High. The helicopters were brought to the school as part of an outreach effort to generate student interest in potentially enlisting in the military.

One of the pilots of the helicopters has been in the military for 11 years and frequently flies a Blackhawk.

“This is a community outreach, so it’s going to help show people that influence you what we do,” he said.

School administrators and selected community members had the opportunity to go for a ride in the Blackhawks. Students were allowed to take pictures and get an in-depth look inside the helicopters.

“They want to show they do good things for students, and administration gets to fly around Hays in the helicopter later,” senior Angel Bryant said. “This was really exciting because we had no idea that it was happening.”

17hnorris@usd489.com