Grinder
14 August 2003, 18:47
By Rudi Williams
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Aug. 13, 2003 - Last year the Military Child
Education Coalition had only enough money to send one
student of military parents to the U.S. Space Camp in
Huntsville, Ala.
But this year military children lucked out, thanks to a
$5,000 corporate donation to pay the tuition for five
youngsters to experience the camp.
"We received 318 applications for the 2003 Bernard Curtis
Brown II Memorial Space Camp scholarship," said retired
Army Lt. Gen. Don Jones, who announced the winners at the
coalition's fifth annual conference July in Groton, Conn.
Each application had to be accompanied by an essay, Jones
said. "Some of the things we asked these youngsters to do
were to talk about your future goals, what you want to be
later in life. Talk about patriotism, community service and
their after-space-camp plans. We got some remarkable
responses," he noted.
"It's only fitting that MCEC has created a space camp
scholarship in memory of one of the country's brightest and
finest children - Bernard Curtis Brown II. Bernard was the
son of Navy Chief Petty Officer and Mrs. Bernard Curtis
Brown Jr. And, unfortunately, he was a passenger on the
hijacked airliner that was crashed into the Pentagon on
Sept. 11."
At the time of his death, Brown, 11, was en route to
California to represent his school in the Sustainable Seas
Expeditions, a science project funded by the National
Geographic Society, Jones told the audience. The marine
research project was held at the Channel Islands National
Marine Sanctuary, near Santa Barbara.
"So he was doing the kinds of things we all like to see our
young people do," said Jones, a member of the MCEC board of
directors. "MCEC and his parents thought it was appropriate
and fitting that we should form a memorial scholarship in
honor of this bright, outstanding kid.
"Space camp is a place where young people come together for
a journey that they'll never forget," the retired three-
star general said. "Each child learns about the duties of
an astronaut, about space travel and about experiences.
Even more importantly, they learn about developing the
bonds of friendship."
The camp uses the excitement of space exploration to
encourage youngsters to study math, science and high
technology subjects. The week-long program is run by the
U.S. Space and Rocket Center and the Alabama Space Science
Exhibit Commission.
Sessions are designed around simulated space missions
conducted in Space Shuttle orbiter mockups. Trainees learn
the basics of shuttle operation, the science and history of
the space program, leadership skills and teamwork. They
also use authentic simulators to experience the sensations
of astronaut training. Some even take a simulated mission
to Mars.
Juliesa D. Moore was an eighth grade honor roll student at
Ramstein American Middle School in Germany when selected
for the scholarship. She became the first military child to
graduate from this year's space camp Aug. 1. The daughter
of Army Capt. Angelo D. Moore, she aspires to earn a degree
in engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology.
"She plays basketball, runs track, plays violin in the
Kaiserslautern (Germany) Military Community Orchestra and
attends church every Sunday and Wednesday with her family,"
Jones noted. "She has visited NASA Space Center at Houston,
Texas, and the NASA Museum in Hampton, Va.
Jones said she wants to be valedictorian of her high school
senior class and to be in the publication "Who's Who Among
American High School Students."
"I want to be more than the average individual," Moore
wrote in her essay. "I want to set the example and be the
role model. I want to lead others in the right direction to
become successful. I believe education not only leads to a
successful career, but overall success in life."
Alexzandar Kyle Sutton, a sixth grader at Gaeta (Italy)
American Middle School at the time of scholarship
selection, finished space camp Aug. 8. The son of Navy
Petty Officer 1st Class Darryel Sutton, he took part in a
program last winter called "Odyssey of the Mind," an after-
school program where students come together and problem
solve and do creative thinking, Jones said.
A member of Boy Scout Troop 85 in Gaeta, Sutton has earned
a merit badge for citizenship and is volunteering in the
library as a requirement for earning his reading merit
badge. As a Scout, he participated in a project at the
Netunno Memorial Cemetery honoring American, Italian and
people from other countries who died in World War II. They
cleaned up the cemetery and placed American and Italian
flags on the gravesites.
Sutton said he wanted to learn all he could about NASA and
space. "I also wanted to lean more about how big the galaxy
is by estimation, how the planets got into orbit and what
different uses there are for satellites and how they're
made," he wrote in his essay.
"He volunteers on Sunday at the children's church, where he
helps the younger kids," Jones said.
Maria Tucker, a freshman at Fort Knox (Ky.) High School
when selected, also graduated from space camp Aug. 8. The
daughter of Army Sgt. 1st Class Charles Tucker Jr., she
started high school at age 12, had a 4.375 grade point
average and tied with her best friend as the class' top
student.
"She's either in superior or honor programs in all of her
courses, and math and science are two of her favorite
courses," Jones said.
"All my life, I've made every effort to do the very best at
any and every activity I've attempted, including ballet and
pointe, playing the oboe, volleyball, tumbling,
volunteering at my local church, helping out at a homeless
shelter, co-teaching religious education, walking for a
pro-life organization," Tucker wrote in her essay.
She also participates in "Teen Discovery" meetings at Fort
Knox to help improve the lives of teenagers at the
installation.
Tucker said she would use the knowledge she attained from
space camp "to enrich my community by enlightening friends,
acquaintances and anyone else who will listen, to the
wonders of outer space, the stars and planets and the
mysteries of the universe enshrouded by ignorance and
skepticism."
Scholarship recipient London H. Durand was a sixth grade
student at Amelia Earhart Intermediate School in Okinawa,
Japan, at the time of selection. The daughter of Air Force
Chief Master Sgt. Gregory Durand, Jones said she is a
straight "A" student who wants to become an aeronautical
engineer.
Durand is slated to attend space camp from Aug. 16 to Aug.
22.
Her accomplishments in community service are numerous,
Jones noted. "She's a lead altar server in church,
participates in many theater activities, a Girl Scout for
five years and secretary of her student council," the
general said. "Her favorite subjects are math and science.
She was an American ambassador to the Yoran Island
Adventure School for Kids, which is where more than 400
children from Japan, Indonesia and Americans from Okinawa
are selected for this multicultural event."
"I'm a space freak," Durand wrote in her space camp essay.
"Nothing interests me more than becoming an American
astronaut and traveling into space."
She said, "If I'm selected for space came, I'll use the
knowledge for the rest of my life. Not only will I learn
new and fascinating things about space, but I'll also learn
life-long lessons."
Amanda Johnson, who is scheduled to attend space camp from
Dec. 28 to Jan. 2, was in the eighth grade at Vandenberg
Middle School, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., when
chosen to receive a scholarship.
The daughter of Air Force Master Sgt. Larry Johnson, she's
in the math, science, English and history honors classes.
"She takes advanced band and Spanish as optional courses,"
Jones said, and is "a member of the Civil Air Patrol, where
she has attained the grade of cadet technical sergeant. Her
hobbies include reading, riding a bike and playing with the
dog.
"She's the leader of the squadron color guard, where she
carries the American flag in parades and ceremonies," Jones
noted. "Her ambition after high school is to attend Embry
Riddle University and earn a degree as an aeronautical
engineer."
"As an engineer, I would like to be part of the space
program's future," Johnson said in her essay. "I would like
to help develop future space vehicles and teach others
about the value of a strong space program. During my
career, I would also like to serve as a test pilot and be
an astronaut, which is my life-long dream."
"These youngsters have been remarkably involved in their
community," Jones said. "Selecting the five recipients was
one of the toughest jobs MCEC has ever gone though because
there were so many excellent applications."
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Aug. 13, 2003 - Last year the Military Child
Education Coalition had only enough money to send one
student of military parents to the U.S. Space Camp in
Huntsville, Ala.
But this year military children lucked out, thanks to a
$5,000 corporate donation to pay the tuition for five
youngsters to experience the camp.
"We received 318 applications for the 2003 Bernard Curtis
Brown II Memorial Space Camp scholarship," said retired
Army Lt. Gen. Don Jones, who announced the winners at the
coalition's fifth annual conference July in Groton, Conn.
Each application had to be accompanied by an essay, Jones
said. "Some of the things we asked these youngsters to do
were to talk about your future goals, what you want to be
later in life. Talk about patriotism, community service and
their after-space-camp plans. We got some remarkable
responses," he noted.
"It's only fitting that MCEC has created a space camp
scholarship in memory of one of the country's brightest and
finest children - Bernard Curtis Brown II. Bernard was the
son of Navy Chief Petty Officer and Mrs. Bernard Curtis
Brown Jr. And, unfortunately, he was a passenger on the
hijacked airliner that was crashed into the Pentagon on
Sept. 11."
At the time of his death, Brown, 11, was en route to
California to represent his school in the Sustainable Seas
Expeditions, a science project funded by the National
Geographic Society, Jones told the audience. The marine
research project was held at the Channel Islands National
Marine Sanctuary, near Santa Barbara.
"So he was doing the kinds of things we all like to see our
young people do," said Jones, a member of the MCEC board of
directors. "MCEC and his parents thought it was appropriate
and fitting that we should form a memorial scholarship in
honor of this bright, outstanding kid.
"Space camp is a place where young people come together for
a journey that they'll never forget," the retired three-
star general said. "Each child learns about the duties of
an astronaut, about space travel and about experiences.
Even more importantly, they learn about developing the
bonds of friendship."
The camp uses the excitement of space exploration to
encourage youngsters to study math, science and high
technology subjects. The week-long program is run by the
U.S. Space and Rocket Center and the Alabama Space Science
Exhibit Commission.
Sessions are designed around simulated space missions
conducted in Space Shuttle orbiter mockups. Trainees learn
the basics of shuttle operation, the science and history of
the space program, leadership skills and teamwork. They
also use authentic simulators to experience the sensations
of astronaut training. Some even take a simulated mission
to Mars.
Juliesa D. Moore was an eighth grade honor roll student at
Ramstein American Middle School in Germany when selected
for the scholarship. She became the first military child to
graduate from this year's space camp Aug. 1. The daughter
of Army Capt. Angelo D. Moore, she aspires to earn a degree
in engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology.
"She plays basketball, runs track, plays violin in the
Kaiserslautern (Germany) Military Community Orchestra and
attends church every Sunday and Wednesday with her family,"
Jones noted. "She has visited NASA Space Center at Houston,
Texas, and the NASA Museum in Hampton, Va.
Jones said she wants to be valedictorian of her high school
senior class and to be in the publication "Who's Who Among
American High School Students."
"I want to be more than the average individual," Moore
wrote in her essay. "I want to set the example and be the
role model. I want to lead others in the right direction to
become successful. I believe education not only leads to a
successful career, but overall success in life."
Alexzandar Kyle Sutton, a sixth grader at Gaeta (Italy)
American Middle School at the time of scholarship
selection, finished space camp Aug. 8. The son of Navy
Petty Officer 1st Class Darryel Sutton, he took part in a
program last winter called "Odyssey of the Mind," an after-
school program where students come together and problem
solve and do creative thinking, Jones said.
A member of Boy Scout Troop 85 in Gaeta, Sutton has earned
a merit badge for citizenship and is volunteering in the
library as a requirement for earning his reading merit
badge. As a Scout, he participated in a project at the
Netunno Memorial Cemetery honoring American, Italian and
people from other countries who died in World War II. They
cleaned up the cemetery and placed American and Italian
flags on the gravesites.
Sutton said he wanted to learn all he could about NASA and
space. "I also wanted to lean more about how big the galaxy
is by estimation, how the planets got into orbit and what
different uses there are for satellites and how they're
made," he wrote in his essay.
"He volunteers on Sunday at the children's church, where he
helps the younger kids," Jones said.
Maria Tucker, a freshman at Fort Knox (Ky.) High School
when selected, also graduated from space camp Aug. 8. The
daughter of Army Sgt. 1st Class Charles Tucker Jr., she
started high school at age 12, had a 4.375 grade point
average and tied with her best friend as the class' top
student.
"She's either in superior or honor programs in all of her
courses, and math and science are two of her favorite
courses," Jones said.
"All my life, I've made every effort to do the very best at
any and every activity I've attempted, including ballet and
pointe, playing the oboe, volleyball, tumbling,
volunteering at my local church, helping out at a homeless
shelter, co-teaching religious education, walking for a
pro-life organization," Tucker wrote in her essay.
She also participates in "Teen Discovery" meetings at Fort
Knox to help improve the lives of teenagers at the
installation.
Tucker said she would use the knowledge she attained from
space camp "to enrich my community by enlightening friends,
acquaintances and anyone else who will listen, to the
wonders of outer space, the stars and planets and the
mysteries of the universe enshrouded by ignorance and
skepticism."
Scholarship recipient London H. Durand was a sixth grade
student at Amelia Earhart Intermediate School in Okinawa,
Japan, at the time of selection. The daughter of Air Force
Chief Master Sgt. Gregory Durand, Jones said she is a
straight "A" student who wants to become an aeronautical
engineer.
Durand is slated to attend space camp from Aug. 16 to Aug.
22.
Her accomplishments in community service are numerous,
Jones noted. "She's a lead altar server in church,
participates in many theater activities, a Girl Scout for
five years and secretary of her student council," the
general said. "Her favorite subjects are math and science.
She was an American ambassador to the Yoran Island
Adventure School for Kids, which is where more than 400
children from Japan, Indonesia and Americans from Okinawa
are selected for this multicultural event."
"I'm a space freak," Durand wrote in her space camp essay.
"Nothing interests me more than becoming an American
astronaut and traveling into space."
She said, "If I'm selected for space came, I'll use the
knowledge for the rest of my life. Not only will I learn
new and fascinating things about space, but I'll also learn
life-long lessons."
Amanda Johnson, who is scheduled to attend space camp from
Dec. 28 to Jan. 2, was in the eighth grade at Vandenberg
Middle School, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., when
chosen to receive a scholarship.
The daughter of Air Force Master Sgt. Larry Johnson, she's
in the math, science, English and history honors classes.
"She takes advanced band and Spanish as optional courses,"
Jones said, and is "a member of the Civil Air Patrol, where
she has attained the grade of cadet technical sergeant. Her
hobbies include reading, riding a bike and playing with the
dog.
"She's the leader of the squadron color guard, where she
carries the American flag in parades and ceremonies," Jones
noted. "Her ambition after high school is to attend Embry
Riddle University and earn a degree as an aeronautical
engineer."
"As an engineer, I would like to be part of the space
program's future," Johnson said in her essay. "I would like
to help develop future space vehicles and teach others
about the value of a strong space program. During my
career, I would also like to serve as a test pilot and be
an astronaut, which is my life-long dream."
"These youngsters have been remarkably involved in their
community," Jones said. "Selecting the five recipients was
one of the toughest jobs MCEC has ever gone though because
there were so many excellent applications."