Reach for the Stars

By Carolyn Bushman, Educator, Wendover Jr./Sr. High School, Wendover, Utah

The NASA INSPIRE has had an impact on my life as a teacher. Two years ago I convinced two students, senior Jamahl Middleton and junior Esmeralda Arreola, to apply. They both were accepted. Esmeralda had no computer at home and I told her I would meet her after practice so she could use my school computer. We spent many hours together working on projects and viewing webcasts of NASA employees. I learned a lot about NASA that I did not know. In January, both students applied and were accepted to Intern for the NASA AMES Research Center.

In the fall, Esmeralda returned to school and I was amazed at her growth. Her academic language had blossomed. She had a goal of working for NASA someday. I enjoyed hearing her passion about her experiences. We spent many hours working on assignments, scholarships, and researching what she needed to do to accomplish her goal. She set out to be an example to her fellow students and show them that they can accomplish anything they desire even though they are from a small isolated school. In her graduation speech, she emphasized the need to set goals and believe in one’s self. She had been accepted to Intern for a second summer. I was so proud of her. Watching her grow had changed my life, I realized the importance of helping students get involved and try new things.

Today Esmeralda is attending and doing well at Utah State University as an undergraduate researcher on a four year scholarship. The students at Wendover High School (WHS) talk about her accomplishments and how they can follow their dreams. Esmeralda is truly a pathfinder helping others. In January, an e-mail came across my desk telling about the National Space Club Space Educator Award for a teacher who has inspired students to study careers in motivating and guiding high school students in the study of and careers in space science and technology. I contacted Esmeralda and she wrote a letter of recommendation telling about the impact I made on her life. This letter helped me to be chosen as the 2012 recipient of the Space Educator Award. I will have the honor of attending my first black tie affair and learning from those who have impacted the science fields. I will be able to return to WHS and share my experiences with my students thus teaching them to Reach for the Stars.

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