A Small but Mighty Crew at the Franklin County Trades & Apprenticeship Fair

Written By Beth White

We were honored to be part of the 2nd Annual Franklin County Trades & Apprenticeship Fair, where 54 area employers filled the Missisquoi Valley Union Middle-High School gym and students in grades 7–10 came from schools across the county to explore possible futures. Organizers intentionally shifted the event toward younger students so they could begin exploring interests before locking into high school classes or tech center pathways, which felt especially aligned with the work we care so much about.    

Our Habitat for Aviation crew was small but mighty: Aubrianna, Sammie, Granny, and me. Together, we spent the day sharing our love of aviation with youth from all over the area. At our table, students made beaded friendship bracelets while learning to strip wire and solder—one small but tangible way to introduce how electricity gets created and connected inside an airplane. The St. Albans Messenger even noted how our bright pink overalls caught students’ attention, especially young girls, and featured Aubrianna helping students with the activity. One ninth grader, waiting to speak with us, said she thought it would be cool “to work on planes and to fly them.” That kind of moment is exactly why we show up.  

What felt especially meaningful to me was seeing Sarah Raimondi, one of our early WOMEN BUILD PLANES team members, now representing BETA Technologies in workforce development. There is something powerful about watching a young person who once stood on one side of the table now stand on the other, helping open doors for those coming behind her. It was also incredible to watch Sammie talk with the folks from Advanced Welding Institute. She lit up as she shared her passion for welding and walked them through photos and videos of the projects she has made. Seeing her speak with that kind of confidence and ownership was a reminder that real work changes how young people see themselves. We left the fair tired in the best way—grateful for the conversations, proud of our team, and reminded once again that when young people are given early chances to explore, ask questions, and picture themselves in new spaces, futures begin to open.

Beth White

Education Possibilitarian, Artist, Writer, Doula, Mentor, Aviatrix, Breast Cancer Survivor, Pilot-in-Command at Habitat for Aviation

Born and raised in Vermont, Beth worked in a variety of schools in New England, including The Met, which is Big Picture Learning, flagship public high school in Providence, Rhode Island. After a decade in the classroom, Beth returned to the University of Vermont to earn a PhD in educational leadership and policy studies. She is an education possibilitarian, artist, a writer, a Doula, a mentor and aviatrix and most recently, after winning a tough battle with breast cancer, Beth founded Habitat for Aviation to inspire the next generation of airplane mechanics, avionics, specialists and pilots.

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