~ 2012 Women's Air Race Classic (ARC) ~
    June 19-22, 2012
Lake Havasu City, AZ (KHII) ~ Batavia, OH (I69) 

'Ladies, let the 2012 Women's Air Race Classic begin!!!'

Meet "Team Bessie"

"Pilot" Joyce Parker Topeka, KS Joyce is totally thrilled about the adventure she is embarking upon with her co-pilot and "sistah-friend," Athina Holmes.  She and Athina met via their mutual membership in the Bessie Coleman Foundation.   Joyce knew she wanted to fly in the Air Race Classic this year and Athina was inquiring as to whether there were other women pilots in the foundation interested in participating.  She flew the race in 2009 and the experience was so compelling, she KNEW she just had to do it again.  The president of the foundation, Thelma Rudd, put the word out, Athina and Joyce made contact, and the rest, as they say, is history.        Joyce was born and raised on Long Island in New York-- "The Cradle of Aviation"-- and remembers as a young girl, the airplanes flying over her home on approach into Kennedy/KJFK Airport.  After graduating high school, she applied to the airlines to become a stewardess; becoming a pilot was not even a consideration.  That didn't pan out, so she went to college and continued to work in the graphics/printing industry.  Then, on a whim one day, she joined the Air Force.  After successfully completing basic training in January 1985, she went to her first base in CA and got up close and personal with the screaming F-4 Wild Weasel fighter aircraft!!!  After CA, she went to Japan and spent a lot of time hanging out with KC-135 air refueling tankers.  She even witnessed 1st hand, the air refueling of the 'infamous' SR-71.  Over the years in the military, she grew more and more fond of all things airplanes and aviation, spending time with fighters, tankers, and helicopters, with her last assignment logging 500+ hours as a battle staff crew member on board the Boeing 747, a.k.a. the E-4B National Airborne Operations Center (NAOC).  From 2001~2004, she had the awesome privilege of working at the White House, and it was during this time that she put wings to her dream of becoming a pilot and earned her private certificate in June 2003, and her instrument rating in November 2003.        She's had some ups and downs (BUT NO CRASHES :-)) in her piloting ventures and she believes that meeting Athina and flying in this 2011 Air Race Classic is the springboard she needs to take her aviation experience to the next level.  Her ultimate goal for her flying is to serve the Lord through missionary aviation and bring honor and glory to Him by utilizing the gift of flight He has so graciously bestowed upon her for His work.         Joyce retired from the USAF in 2009 after 24-1/2 years of dedicated service, but continues the "Air Force Connection" as a Jr. ROTC instructor at Highland Park High School, Topeka, KS.   She's hoping her participation in this year's air race will inspire and motivate her students (especially the girls :-)) to seek out and achieve career opportunities in the challenging yet rewarding  field of aviation.

"Co-Pilot" Athina Holmes West Palm Beach,   FL Athina is the epitome of a "flygirl" as she spends a lot of her time flying the friendly skies as a 24-year veteran flight attendant (she was probably called a stewardess when she first started) for American Airlines.  It is the many years in the industry that gave Athina the passion to pursue the most sought after seat on the airplane...The Cockpit!  She took that enthusiasm and dedicated her time to achieving her private, instrument, multi-engine and commercial pilots licenses.  She's currently working towards her flight instructor certification.        Athina is so enthusiastic about the many opportunities her flight training has to offer; some of her goals include: becoming a designated pilot examiner,  flight instructing an all girls program (we need more female pilots),  co-owning (with Joyce, of course) a Christian Aviation Commuter Company, and Cargo Pilot. Whatever aviation path Athina pursues,  she will achieve her goals because of her passion, dedication, and professionalism.        Here are more fun facts about this  New Orleans native:  she has a Bachelor of Science degree in Broadcast Journalism and has worked as a Production Coordinator and TV Host for a cable television variety show in TX and NYC.  She has earned two culinary certifications from two prestigious culinary institutions in the USA and owns a personal chef business...."ONE HOT STEW" (stewardess).   Check out some of her cuisines  featured in our  "Team Bessie" Gallery. YUM!      Athina is excited to participate once again in the 2011 Air Race Classic.  Although she placed in the top ten--7th place winning position-- Athina is eager  for the chance to make history taking home the 1st place trophy with Joyce.

"The Joybird"

 1975 Beechcraft C-23 Sundowner