There are few among us that did not wonder in awe what it would be like to be an astronaut when they were a child..
For 139 guests who attended the Lake Orion Education Foundation (LOEF) 3rd Annual Evening for Education on Saturday, Nov. 8, astronaut Drew Feustel presented a glimpse at how NASA operates and what it takes to be an astronaut.
The Canterbury Castle Banquet Center was transformed into NASA Mission control as Feustel thrilled the crowd with a motivating speech and slideshow.
Feustel spoke about his upcoming space shuttle mission to repair the Hubble Telescope previously slated for October and now scheduled for lift-off in May, 2009.
A 1983 graduate of Lake Orion High School Feustel said growing up in Lake Orion helped him achieve many of his goals.
‘It is important for students to realize that when they apply for college, they want to see someone who has outside interests. Although academics are very important, it is the other interests a student has that helps to mold them,? said Feustel.
Feustel said water skiing and snow skiing and growing up near the Motor City made a major impact in his life.
‘I was a motor head growing up. I was really interested in cars,? said Feustel.
Feustel said it was those outside interests that he believes helped him to be what NASA was looking for.
After a lengthy standing ovation, Feustel was honored by Superintendent Ken Gutman with ‘The Distinguished Alumni Award.?
Orion Township Supervisor-elect Matthew Gibb recognized Feustel’s accomplishments with a formal proclamation voted into record by the townships governing board.
Monica Squarcia, vice president and branch manager of the National City, Lake Orion, office presented the L.O.E.F. with a donation of $15,000.
This was the third time National City has served as a major sponsor for this event.
‘This is how much we believe in education,? said Squarcia. ‘We have always had a good relationship with Lake Orion schools, it is important to us.?
LOEF President Steve Appledorn proudly accepted the donation and said, ‘When a community and their businesses come together for education, everyone wins.?
~~Rebecca Kelley