Pilot

Photographer: Sara Grace Parks 
Pictured: John Jenista

Categories: 2021, Color, Winner

John Jenista is a 91-year-old pilot! He also is a second-generation pilot under his father. He is widowed and lives in a hanger while my parents (who run Home Care Assistance) send caregivers to his house to keep him company and make sure he is safe and living well in the comfort of his home. Mr. Jenista loved to tell me stories about how he was able to race in his plane and about one time when he hit a buzzard on his way home. He showed me how big the dent was in his plane, it is now fixed, but he said the wing was completely bent to where he could not fly the plane properly without getting it fixed. I loved seeing how enthusiastic Mr. Jenista was with telling me about his stories and how open he was to be my model. Sometimes he could not find the exact words to communicate with me, but I could tell how happy he was to share his stories and I loved hearing every second of them.

Sara Grace Parks