JACKSONVILLE, Fla -- A record was shattered Sunday when daredevil Felix Baumgartner made a 24 mile jump to earth from the stratosphere.
But it was a man behind the scenes assisting that had everyone at Bolles School talking Monday. Graduate Joe Kittinger originally set the record in 1960 for the longest sky dive.
"Little guy with red hair. About my size."
Quinn Barton can't help but chuckle thinking back to the high school days. His classmate, Joe Kittinger, was referred to as the "carrot top cadet." Today, he's known for setting a 1960 record for the longest sky dive.
"I never dreamed that he would become the most famous member of our class!" said Barton.
Most of Bolles, past and present, was watching Sunday as the graduate coached Felix Baumgartner in another death-defying leap from outer space. It was more than just an adrenaline-packed leap for the kids.
"It turns it into something real for them," said Associate Head of School and Academic Dean Scott Smith. "It really invigorates the students to see not only the near future but what could happen over a lifetime," he said.
And with the jump, a new record holder was born. The former carrot topped Bolles student -- whose legacy lives on down the halls -- passed the torch. Something Quinn knows Kittinger was honored to get to do.
"He's very proud to be a part of this whole project. He wasn't jealous at all!"
Kittinger now lives in Orlando. Bolles staff are hoping he will plan another visit back to fill the students in on his latest adventure.
Kittinger is also a University of Florida graduate.
You can
watch video of the record-setting sky dive on YouTube.
