Bald eagle, named Challenger, met with the awestruck Challenger Middle and Elementary School students in honor of their school's 25th birthday on Tuesday. Challenger is actually a rescued creature who has been raised and protected by the American Eagle Foundation, which is has its headquarters in Dollywood.
Challenger the bald eagle travels all over the United States with his handlers so he could fly into arenas and stadiums. When he visited the school on Tuesday, he flew through its gymnasium.
"Having this eagle here today is very, very special," said Dianne Hasty, the principal of Challenger Middle and Elementary School.
Additionally, apart from the fact that they both share the same name, Challenger and the aforementioned school actually share the same age. They are both 25 years old. Challenger the bald eagle was a perfect addition to the school's birthday celebration.
Robbie Cabra, an 8th grader, said, "I think it's pretty cool we're going to get to see on here." He believes that the actual experience is a fantastic method of reminding the students at the school about the bright future they have ahead of them in the next 25 years.
Cabra then added, "We're the Eagles. And we soar high in everything we try to do." Hasty echoed, "We try to inspire students to aim high, reach high, and soar above the rest."
Also, another bald eagle was found injured on the side of a roadway only earlier this week. It was a Marion County Deputy, Travis O'Cull, who happened to be off-duty, who found and rescued the eagle.
Authorities have identified that the bald eagle may have been hit by a vehicle. O'Cull and several residents took charge in taking care and protecting the animal until wildlife officers and a veterinarian arrived to take him away for treatment.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
