St. John’s Northwestern Academies Showcases Aviation Program at Record-Breaking 2025 EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
Delafield, WI (July 29, 2025) – St. John’s Northwestern Academies (SJNA) proudly participated in the 2025 EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, joining more than 962 exhibitors and 704,000 attendees at what became the highest-attended AirVenture in history.
Throughout the week, SJNA hosted a dynamic booth in the education-focused exhibit area, highlighting its Aviation Science program, one of the few high school programs offering hands-on training, simulation, and flight pathway opportunities for students. The exhibit drew thousands of aviation enthusiasts, prospective students, alumni, and industry professionals, many of whom were impressed by the real-world skills and flight readiness that SJNA instills in its students.
A major attraction at the SJNA booth was the live flight simulator experience, led by SJNA alumnus Paul Gardetto (S’81), a seasoned professional pilot and longtime supporter of the Academies. Families and students of all ages had the chance to take the controls in SJNA’s state-of-the-art flight simulator, offering a rare and inspiring glimpse into the world of aviation training.
“Watching families light up as their kids took the controls for the first time was unforgettable,” said Paul Gardetto. “This simulator is one of six at our school; its high fidelity is one-of-a-kind at the high school level. It was a joy to help so many future pilots and engineers experience the gift of flight, right there on the convention floor.”
EAA CEO and Chairman Jack Pelton described the 2025 event as “One Week – Endless Possibilities,” with more than 10,000 aircraft arriving in Wisconsin, 2,543 registered showplanes, and nearly 300,000 volunteer hours contributed. The event reached more than 21.2 million people online, further expanding SJNA’s presence.
SJNA’s Aviation Science program, part of its Engineering, Robotics, and Aviation (ERA) track, equips students with skills in navigation, meteorology, and simulator-based training, with options to pursue pilot licensure or advanced STEM pathways. The weeklong exposure at EAA introduced SJNA’s unique offerings to a wide audience and fostered meaningful conversations with families, veterans, and aviation professionals from around the world.
“This event gave us the opportunity to share our mission in a global space that celebrates not only aviation but also innovation, education, and future leadership,” said Robert J. Fine, Jr., President of St. John’s Northwestern Academies. “We’re already looking forward to being back at EAA AirVenture next year and continuing to build excitement around the future of flight.”
As the countdown begins for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026, SJNA looks forward to continuing its role in shaping the next generation of aviators and innovators.
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St. John’s Northwestern Academies is a safe, structured environment that provides each student a foundation for life with specialized programs that are built with future aspirations in mind. Learn more at www.stjohnsnorthwestern.org.