CHATSWORTH : Falcons Show At-Risk Youths Sky’s the Limit

The group that assembled for a lesson under an ash tree at William Tell Aggeler High School in Chatsworth was not made up of what you would call model students.

Some had committed crimes. Others had been expelled from other schools. But at least for one hour Tuesday, the students listened raptly to a wide-ranging lecture that covered topics as diverse as zoology, history and sports.

It helped, of course, that instructors used Cranky, a Gyr-Barbary hybrid falcon, and three other feathery friends in their talk on and demonstration of the ancient sport of falconry.

Science teacher Paul Schuster invited staff members of the Lancaster-based Falconry Academy to come and make a presentation for students to enhance their understanding of the animal sciences.

Taurus, a brown and white Harris hawk, flew from his perch on academy instructor Kristen Rossell’s glove to a nearby tree as a crowd of crows, disturbed by the presence of the predatory falcons, cawed overhead. A few minutes later, attracted by some food that Rossell tossed in the air, Taurus swooped down and maneuvered a perfect landing on Rossell’s forearm.

Students leaned forward to get a better look as Rossell’s husband, academy director Stuart Rossell, put Cranky through his paces. The falcon’s wings appeared to be barely moving as he glided toward a lure swung on a string by Rossell. The falconer then offered his glove for Cranky to mount, tucked the lure away in his pocket and rewarded the bird with a piece of chicken meat.

Because Cranky was considered a “flight risk” in the small schoolyard, the bird of prey was leashed throughout the exercise. Falcons such as Cranky can easily fly away to a wider, more open area because they can achieve speeds of up to 120 m.p.h.

“I’d like to expose (students) to the fact that there is a lot out there in life to investigate and a lot of positive things to get involved with,” Schuster said.

Aggeler is an “opportunity” high school for at-risk youth from grades seven through 12. Most of the students come from the nearby Rancho San Antonio Boys Home, a Catholic facility for juvenile offenders and youths from troubled homes. Others came to the school after being expelled from regular high schools.

Students agreed that the demonstration appeared to stimulate more upbeat thinking patterns.

“It gives me an idea of something I can do when I get older, something like my career,” said Travon Anderson, a 10th-grader.

“A lot of these kids have shot at birds,” said fellow sophomore David Buerger. “Now that they are actually able to see birds up close, I think it’s going to change these kids’ views. Instead of shooting at them, maybe they’ll throw them food.”