AF students bound for space camp

  • Published
  • By Rudi Williams
  • American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON (AFPN) --  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, two Air Force children are among five youngsters to experience the camp thanks to a $5,000 corporate donation.

London H. Durand, daughter of Chief Master Sgt. Gregory Durand, and Amanda Johnson, daughter of Master Sgt. Larry Johnson, are bound for space camp.

Both students beat out more than 318 applicants for the 2003 Bernard Curtis Brown II Memorial Space Camp Scholarship.

Each application had to be accompanied by an essay, according to retired Army Lt. Gen. Don Jones, a member of the coalition’s board of directors.

"Some of the things we asked these youngsters to do were to talk about (their) future goals, (and) what (they) want to be later in life,” said Jones. “(Also to) talk about patriotism, community service and their after-space-camp plans. We got some remarkable responses."

The camp uses the excitement of space exploration to encourage children to study math, science and high-technology subjects. The U.S. Space and Rocket Center and the Alabama Space Science Exhibit Commission run the weeklong program.

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.

London was a sixth-grade student at Amelia Earhart Intermediate School in Okinawa, Japan, at the time of her selection. Jones said she is a straight "A" student who wants to become an aeronautical engineer. London is slated to attend space camp Aug. 16 to 22.

Her accomplishments in community service are numerous, Jones said.

"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," Jones 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," London 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 camp, 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 is scheduled to attend space camp Dec. 28 to Jan. 2. She was an eighth-grader at Vandenberg Middle School on Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., when chosen to receive a scholarship. Amanda is in 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. She's the leader of the squadron color guard, where she carries the American flag in parades and ceremonies. 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," Amanda wrote 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."

"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. (He) was the son of (a) Navy chief petty officer and ... unfortunately, he was a passenger on the hijacked airliner that was crashed into the Pentagon on Sept. 11," said Jones.

At the time of his death, Bernard, 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 said. The marine research project was held at the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, near Santa Barbara.

"He was doing the kinds of things we all (would) like to see our young people do," said Jones. "MCEC and (Bernard’s) parents thought it was appropriate and fitting that we should form a memorial scholarship in honor of this bright, outstanding kid.”