MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A special surprise awaited students as U.S. Navy sailors literally landed on the campus of Christopher Columbus High School Tuesday.
The appearance by the Navy’s Leap Frog parachuting team helped mark the start of Miami-Dade’s first-ever Fleet Week.
“I liked the part where both guys were hanging onto each other in the sky, like the buddy jump,” one student said.
However, it wasn’t just all eyes on the sky. Sailors also dropped in for a special lecture hall featuring a former CCHS teacher and his now-admiral son.
“Columbus is an important school in the area and we wanted the chance to meet and talk with them so we can show them the most important part of the Navy, which is sailors,” Rear Adm. Joaquin J. Martinez said.
His father, Joaquin Martinez de Pinillos, who taught math and physics for six years at CCHS, made his first return to the school.
He watched proudly as his son delivered an uplifting message to students.
“It was quite an experience,” Martinez de Pinillos said. “I’ve never seen him in a role like this one. And quite frankly, it makes me very, very proud.”
The visit continued in the classroom, where the Navy’s E-sports gaming team took time to talk and play a few games with students from the Columbus High e-sports team.
One student said, “I think it’s really cool. It’s just a good experience.”
Students said the day was filled with memorable moments that will stick with them forever.