Above: Jumpers build an 80-shaped formation in celebration of Alice Hicks’ birthday. Photo by Gen Montreuil.

John and Alice Hicks pose with friends Yvonne Owyeong and Luis Villa prior to an attempt at the formation. Photo by Gen Montreuil.

Twenty skydivers gathered at Skydive Arizona in Eloy on February 17 to celebrate Alice Hicks’ 80th birthday by building an 80-shaped formation in the sky. Hicks is a leader, mentor and role model who started jumping in 1968 and continues to skydive regularly. She and her husband, John, spend their summers in Kansas and winter in Arizona. She teaches line dancing one night a week at Skydive Arizona also leads a monthly climb to the summit of nearby Picacho Peak.

Steve Woodford designed and engineered the birthday dive, Corey Mendoza managed the group roster, and load organizer Lori Kraemer Clark handled the immediate cat-herding duties. With most of the team over age 60, and a number over 70, the biggest challenge was getting everyone to exit the Twin Otter quickly! After adjustments to the exit lineup and speed, Hicks, her husband and the 18 others built the 8-0 in the sky on only the third attempt!

Loraine Clark | D-9626
Vail, Arizona