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Schools

Two educators take long, brave leap

The administrators think it will set a great example for their students if they sky-dive out of a plane.

By MARY SPICUZZA
Published November 5, 2005

[Special to the Times]

Pasco schools superintendent Heather Fiorentino tandem-jumps with Sgt. 1st Class Michael Elliott of the U.S. Army Golden Knights at Skydive City in Zephyrhills.

	[Times photos: Dan McDuffie]
	Superintendent Heather Fiorentino dons her jumpsuit before taking off for her 13,500-foot tandem jump. She is standing next to a rack of Golden Knight parachutes.
	Joe Fiorentino takes a photo of his wife, Heather, in a model airplane door before she makes a tandem parachute jump. Instructors use the model door to show new jumpers how to exit an aircraft correctly.
	Superintendent Fiorentino seems have serious thoughts as the plane takes off for her 13,500-foot tandem parachute jump Friday.

ZEPHYRHILLS - Pasco County school superintendent Heather Fiorentino will do just about anything for her students.

And she's willing to jump out of an airplane to prove it.

At the request of the Zephyrhills High School Junior ROTC, Fiorentino leapt from a plane Friday while strapped to a member of the Golden Knights U.S. Army Parachute Team.

"One small step for man," Fiorentino said before her tandem jump. "But one giant leap for our students."

It was the first time Fiorentino tried parachuting.

But Sgt. Maj. Terry Mears said both she and Zephyrhills High School principal Gerri Painter immediately came to mind when students in his leadership education class came up with candidates to sky-dive with the Golden Knights, who were conducting parachuting clinics at Skydive City in Zephyrhills on Thursday and Friday.

"They want to live their life and be role models," Mears said. "They're definitely not old."

Mears added that, since about 60 percent of the Junior ROTC are girls, he thought seeing examples of strong, fearless women would send an especially powerful message to students.

Fiorentino might have been nervous, but she seemed to keep her cool from before takeoff to after her relatively smooth landing.

She opted to skip her trademark scarf and instead go casual, wearing a Pasco sweat shirt, sneakers and a simple gold cross.

"I'm excited," she said before jumping. "I'm looking forward to it."

Fiorentino, donning a yellow and black jumpsuit, even got some parachuting tips from her husband, Joe, shortly before takeoff.

"Keep your mouth closed," he told her.

"He tells me that quite often," she said.

When it came time to board the plane, Fiorentino seemed to bond quickly with Sgt. 1st Class Mike Elliott, her tandem partner.

The Golden Knights travel around the country conducting clinics designed to educate and raise awareness of the Army. They often invite leaders in education, business and civic organizations to participate in tandem jumps.

"It provides an up close and personal experience with the Army," Maj. Leela Dawson, the director of Army Public Affairs Southeast, said.

Fiorentino said that during her jump she planned to stay as close as possible to her tandem partner, a veteran parachutist.

And that she did.

Even after landing, they hugged and posed for the camera.

"It was wonderful," Fiorentino said. "Absolutely wonderful."

She said she loved it and would definitely parachute again.

She quickly went to check on Painter, who fell to her knees on her landing.

"I'm doing okay, but I needed to sit down," Painter said. "A little rough landing."

As for Fiorentino, she landed on her feet. For the most part.

"You left skid marks," her husband told her.

Mary Spicuzza can be reached at mspicuzza@sptimes.com or 352 848-1432.

[Last modified November 5, 2005, 01:22:18]