Goodrich Middle School students learned how to set solar-system-sized goals from someone who has viewed stars through a space station window.
 
Approximately 250 students in sixth, seventh and eighth grades listened to a presentation from NASA astronaut Jeanette Epps. The Syracuse, N.Y., native became an astronaut in 2009 and recently returned from an eight-month trip aboard the International Space Station.
 
Goodrich students Janise and Giancarlo said they were impressed with the depth of Epps’ knowledge.
 
“Being able to meet such an important person who’s done so many things for such a huge program like NASA is really incredible,” Janise said.
 
Epps said she wanted to help students realize that their potential is as large and limitless as space.
 
“Today, I was hoping that the kids at least saw someone that potentially looks like them,” Epps said. “Someone who’s kind of like a goofy, normal human being who got to do some extraordinary things, and if she can do it, I can do it too.”
 
David Seizys teaches AVID classes at Goodrich and helped arrange the visit. Everyone began applauding when Epps walked through the door in her blue NASA suit.
 
“Honestly, it gave me chills. It really did,” Seizys said.
 
Epps told students it was a dream come true when she launched into orbit on NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 mission.
 
“It takes a lot of time and a lot of work,” Epps said. “Nothing happens overnight.”
 
Janise said it was encouraging to hear that message of determination.
 
“It really shows that hard work can get you anywhere, and as long as you work hard, you can achieve anything you want to,” Janise said. “I will take that with me for the rest of my life.”
 
Giancarlo said the time with Epps made him realize that he could wear the same type of blue NASA suit one day.
 
“It looks hard, but it’s definitely possible,” Giancarlo said.
 
To learn more about our AVID program, visit our website at https://home.lps.org/avid.
 
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