""Ready for Takeoff" tells the story of Edgar L. Helmey, a UGA graduate and Air Force veteran. The story is framed around Helmey's first solo training flight in 1952. It weaves his life story from growing up on a family farm to becoming the first Helmey to graduate from college to holding a career as an engineer and flying cargo missions in the Vietnam War. The profile was based on Helmey's self-published book series, "My Life as I Remember It," and a two-hour in-person interview with Helmey at his home in Raleigh, North Carolina, plus some fact-checking to verify dates.
We approached this story as an opportunity to engage an older generation of UGA graduates. Helmey is 92, and we typically highlight alumni in their early career stages or at the peak of their fields. It's also a way to celebrate the service of our veterans.
It was released online in November 2022 as part of our Veterans Day package to a small but engaged audience (5:19 engagement time on page). The magazine version of this story was released in the winter 2022 issue."
From the Judges
This nomination received high praise from the judge pool for its thoughtful and well-executed profile of an individual who is later in life, as opposed to someone earlier in their career. The unique approach to the story, particularly with its Veterans Day angle, was well-received by judges, who found it to be a fun and unconventional way of exploring a topic. The writing was also singled out for its ability to create drama throughout the story, and the writer successfully used the flashback technique to great effect.
