Nationwide – TSA’s Holiday Spirit Shines Through
News and Happenings
January 3, 2008
Austin TSA Choir Entertains Passengers During Holidays
TSOs in Austin, Texas, otherwise known as the "music capital of the world," perform live holiday music for traveling passengers at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. They sang holiday favorites as part of an airport effort to showcase local talent during the holidays. Making up the choir were (from left) TSO David Flatt; Security Manager Jonathan Russ; TSOs Dominic Griego and Joshua Baraan; Lead TSO Alberto Diaz; TSO Izzy Yzaguirre; Supervisory TSO Brenda Ardrey; TSOs Jo Wilson, Rebecca Wood, Sue Marinez, Lauri Knedlik and Stephanie Miller; and Lead TSO Joseph Dusse.
TSA Valley International Donates to Area Families
At the Valley Morning Star newspaper offices in Harlingen, Texas, (from left) TSOs Norma Villegas, Lore Rodriguez and Supervisory TSO Vattell Cooke deliver toys, clothing and blankets donated by TSA at the area's Valley International Airport. Employees participated in the newspaper's annual drive, called Operation Noel, to help local families with special needs. Rodriquez, who chaired the toy drive, said it was a way for TSA employees to support their community.
Detroit TSA Brings Holiday Cheer to Kids
At Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, (from left) TSOs Joseph Scott, Paul Estigoy and Steve Ash sing and entertain youngsters as part of the Make-A-Wish Foundation – Detroit Children's Hospital simulated annual flight to the North Pole. On Dec. 13, 45 youngsters and their parents were assisted through a security checkpoint and greeted by TSA employees who played music, sang Christmas songs and invited the special travelers to sing along. The kids were later entertained at a nearby hotel, otherwise known as the "North Pole," where they enjoyed refreshments and a magic show with characters Elmo, Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the main attraction, Santa Claus. The airport's TSA employees have participated in the annual event for the past five years.
Fort Wayne TSA Shows its Christmas Spirit
Fort Wayne TSO Glenn Myers helps Santa Claus load gifts that will be delivered to a family "adopted" by TSA employees.
TSA at Fort Wayne International Airport (FWA) pulled together $750 worth of gifts for a family the staff "adopted" during the Christmas holiday season. The husband and wife are expecting their first child on Jan. 8.
Employees donated various gifts for the growing family – baby and adult clothes, pots and pans, a stroller, crib and mattress, baby supplies and food.
The effort was coordinated by TSO Glenn Myers, who learned about the opportunity from the Allen County Christmas Bureau, which will deliver the gifts to the family. "It has been a pleasure heading up this project," said Myers, adding that he is "proud of the FWA TSA team for coming together so well and supporting this needy family."
Snowball Express Rolls Through John Wayne Airport
Lead TSO Carlos Hurtado assists children of fallen U.S. soldiers through the security checkpoint on Dec. 3 at John Wayne Airport (Irvine, Calif.) following the annual Snowball Express weekend. The Snowball Express is a non-profit organization that provides holiday cheer to those who have lost a U.S. military service family member since Sept. 11, 2001. TSA specifically dedicated two lanes for the group of 375 spouses and children. The weekend in Orange County, Calif., included special parties, concerts, a trip to the Oakley factory where sports-related products are manufactured and a day at Disneyland. TSA employees volunteered for the weekend shifts.
An STSO's Passion for Singing and Security
Beautiful music and the holidays go hand-in-hand. But Denver International Airport (DEN) Supervisory TSO Rick Wheeler lives and breathes music every day of the year.
By night, Wheeler is an integral part of the baggage screening team that keeps passengers safe at DEN. By day, he is an acclaimed vocalist who currently performs with the world famous acappella chamber choir, the Ars Nova Singers of Boulder, Colo. The group, made up of 40 volunteer and highly-talented singers, has recorded eight critically-acclaimed solo recordings
"My first loves are Renaissance choral works, as well as Gregorian chant, and I spend a lot of time writing and editing music in these areas," said Wheeler. "At Ars Nova, we perform significant works from the Renaissance period, but we also sing pieces by 20th and 21st century composers."
Wheeler began performing publicly at the age of 9. In high school, he trained under the direction and tutelage of Maestro Michael Macelletti of the Julliard School. By age 19, he was performing with the Westminster Choir and the New York Choral artists at New York City's Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall.
"I've been fortunate to study under the batons of artists such as Leonard Bernstein and Mstislav Rostropovich, and have worked with such eminent choral musicians as Thomas Edward Morgan and Robert Shaw," he said. "I've also held several music director, conductor and teaching positions, but nothing beats singing."
Wheeler joined TSA shortly after 9/11.
"I have a military background and training in explosives detection, so this job was a perfect fit," said Wheeler. "I've got the best of both worlds here at TSA: A job that I like, and the opportunity to pursue my passion for music."
