Board recognizes teen pilot and hears student advisory updates on mentoring and absenteeism

The Mississippi Board of Education opened its Aug. 4 meeting by recognizing a student pilot and hearing student advisory reports on mentoring and chronic absenteeism.

Jean Cook introduced Casen (also referenced as Cason/Kayson in the remarks) Brinkley, a 16-year-old junior at Cleveland Central High School who flew his first solo on July 15. Cook said Brinkley is believed to be one of the youngest African American students to solo a plane in Mississippi and noted MDE’s work to add aviation to the state’s career and technical education offerings for the 2025–26 school year. Brinkley thanked family, instructors and his flight instructor, Ken Taylor of New Heights Aviation.

Student advisory representatives also reported on school-based mentoring and attendance. Crosby Parker, a junior representative, said Gulfport recruited more than 20 senior mentors for a STEM mentoring program, described a robotics camp that used VEX competitions and played a short video highlighting student engagement. Parker said the mentoring work builds foundational skills and can be replicated at other schools.

Another student representative, Kate (first name only in the transcript), addressed chronic absenteeism. Kate attributed the issue in part to COVID-19 disruptions, changing teen responsibilities and disengagement, and urged schools to let student councils and honor societies run spirit or engagement activities to make attendance more appealing. The chair asked the student reps to prepare a simple handout—due in early 2025—for board members and districts to share best practices on improving attendance and replicating mentoring programs.

The board complimented the students and asked staff to consider dissemination of the student-generated attendance ideas to districts.