Women Take Flight

On the evening of June 24, and throughout the day on June 25, the skies over Bryant will be filled with stunt planes as the Wings Over Bryant Air Show returns for 2022. An exciting addition to this year’s show will feature the top female aerobatic pilot in the United States, and third in the world. Melissa Dawn Burns is her name, and she is a force of nature.

Not only is she a top professional aerobatic pilot but also a display skydiver and B.A.S.E. jumper. 

Rising to the level of top pilot in the male-dominated sport of aerobatics wasn’t easy, but her drive to explore is embedded in her DNA.

“My grandmother was a pilot and competed in the Powder Puff Air Race Derby,” says Melissa. “My grandfather was a test pilot. My father enjoyed deep sea diving. I grew up gold mining and moving from place to place around the world. It was this travel and the experiences I had that sparked my desire to try new things.”

As the oldest of six children and one of twenty grandchildren, Melissa remembers a specific piece of advice from her father. “He said, ‘When you find your passion, stay with it.’”

Melissa has planned a great show for Wings Over Bryant. “I like to do audience participation at my shows. I will be asking for volunteers.”

One of her stunts involves two large, 27-feet-tall “gopher” poles. Volunteers will hold the poles up with a ribbon stretched between them at the top. “Then I’ll fly inverted between the poles and cut the ribbon with the tail of my plane,” she says.  

To learn more about Melissa and see videos of her stunt work, visit www.sportsgal.com.

Melissa isn’t the only woman making an impact at this year’s Wings Over Bryant. Jason Brown, President and CEO of the Greater Bryant Area Chamber of Commerce states, “Our Chamber of Commerce Executive Board is 100% female. This is the first time in history that has happened, and I am very proud of that.” The board played a crucial role in this year’s show.

“Our chair is Dr. Karen Walters, Bryant School District Superintendent,” he says. “Our vice-chair is Brooke Plack, owner of Empire Kids and Connect Academy for Kids and co-founder of The Empact One Foundation; Rhonda Sanders, treasurer, is CEO of Arkansas Food Bank. Our secretary is Jennifer Carter, Realtor at Baxley-Penfield-Moudy. Our events coordinator is Anna Brimhall. We have branded this group of incredible people, ‘Ladies in Commerce.’”

While these women may have diverse backgrounds, they share a common goal: to give back to a community they love.

For Dr. Walters, the road to public education was not her first choice. “I thought I would be an attorney when I was young. I changed my mind my first year of college. If you had told me I would be superintendent at one of the largest districts in the state that is also the largest employer in Saline County, I would have said you were crazy! My husband and I love living in this community.”

Brooke Plack grew up in the Bryant school system. “When I was a young girl, I wanted to be a U.S. Ambassador or an anesthesiologist. I never set out to open a company. I just wanted to make a difference—fill a need in our community. And to this day, our goal is to build humans, not just athletes.”

Living in Bryant for 29 years, Rhonda Sanders reminisced about original plans for her future. “My earliest dreams were to be a teacher or a doctor. As a young lady, I was given tremendous support by my parents and was constantly told and reinforced that I could do anything I set my mind toward. I did not have a specific idea of what I wanted to do in my career, but I took every opportunity to learn and experience things that challenged me.”

Jennifer Carter started her life in Bryant during the second grade. “As a young girl, I always wanted to be a teacher. When I became a realtor, I decided I should be a part of the community that people want to live in. This has been just as rewarding an experience. I have met so many people, and I love getting the opportunity to give back.”

Then there is Anna Brimhall, who became the Event Coordinator at the Chamber in 2018. “As a young adult, I had dreams to work in the court systems to some capacity. I never expected to be doing what I am now. While volunteering through the Junior Auxiliary, I became very passionate about being involved with our community and giving back. Being the event coordinator with the chamber, I am able to fulfill that passion as a career.”

Whether doing acrobatics in the air, running local businesses, or even selling houses, these ladies are empowering women of all ages to let your dreams take flight! Follow these fearless females as you enjoy Wings Over Bryant, Arkansas’s premier airshow held at Saline County Regional Airport, to watch some of the most breathtaking acts in the business.

More information regarding show times, various activities, and ticket purchase can be found at www.wingsoverbryant.com. Gates at the airport open at 4 p.m. on June 24 and at 10 a.m. on June 25.