NN Friday Flyover Aerial // Fall, 2014 from ivan silverberg on Vimeo.

The NN Friday Flyover took off with an energetic and exciting start. With over 600 faculty and staff members, the flyover was a success, especially with it being the Niles North 50th anniversary this year.

Students gathered around the football field as early as 5 AM this morning. The ABC7 helicopter flew over the field starting at about 6:15 AM as students formed into 3 different formations, which were the NN logo, We Are One, and ’50th’.

Dr. Ryan Mctague was especially enthusiastic this morning, considering all of the flyover’s fabulous festivities.

“I am very excited for today’s awesome event. What makes this day so special is that we are one school, one community, and one family. We get to celebrate this event as a family,” said Principal Dr. Ryan McTague.

One of the major highlights of the ABC Friday Flyover was Dr. McTague completing the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. He was nominated by math teacher Mr. Gary Chu. North Star News staff helped to dump the buckets full of ice onto Dr. McTague live on ABC7 News.

“I’m very, very excited to do the ice bucket challenge. It’s a great thing to donate to such a great cause. Completing the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge is a terrific idea,” said Dr. McTague.

This day wouldn’t have been possible without the help and generosity of NN Student Activities and various staff members. Ms. Cheryl Filipek organized all the formations over a speaker at the event. ABC7 News most definitely were key to the success of the Friday Flyover.

ABC7’s cameraman Joe said, “This day is special because Niles North High School is the first high school to kick off the Friday Flyover series! We think that Niles North was the perfect choice because the students are very exciting and enthusiastic.”

As this is athletic director Karl Costello’s last year before retirement, this day was extra special to him. He manages the football field and seeing his student athletes enjoying themselves is the reason why he loves his job so much.

“It’s already 5:10 and more than 75 kids are here! I am very excited,” said Costello. “I think this is already a fantastic tradition and it’s such an honor that ABC7 chose Niles North to be the first school in the series. They have to do this series for nine weeks and being the first one to kick it off is great.”

After the NN Friday Flyover, Niles North Twitter accounts blew up on social media with photos, videos, and more. Follow @north_star_news, @NilesNActivity, @Vikings219, @mrgarychu, and @NNPrincipal on Twitter to take a special look at the event.

Being Niles North’s 50 anniversary, what made this day special is that we got to celebrate this as one family. We are Niles North and we are one.

Be sure to look out for upcoming coverage of the NN Friday Flyover, through photos and videos posted right here on North Star News and also by watching the new and improved North Star News homeroom announcements next week! Go Vikings!