Reach for the Stars ~ Rocket Competition National Winners to Celebrate at Space Camp

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - Sept. 3, 2019 - PRLog -- Contestants in the 13^th annual Reach for the Stars ~ National Rocket Competition (ages 10 to 18) built and launched their own solid-fuel powered rocket at an event held in their area. Local Competitions were held by schools, scout troops, youth centers, museums, and rocket clubs across the country in this year long event.

The national winners have been invited to celebrate at Space Camp / U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The Competition promotes STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) education and is run in memory of Christa McAuliffe / first Teacher-in-Space.

The winners will be presented a Space Shuttle Challenger commemorative medal with certificate signed by Astronaut Jon McBride. They get to launch rockets from Homer Hickam Launch Pad under an October Sky. They will be honored by the National Association of Rocketry (NAR),  National Space Society (NSS) and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA).

Competition co-director, Kathy Colpas says, "We promise the national winners - memories to last a lifetime and bragging rights for generations to come. Being honored in front of the Lunar Lander under the historical Saturn V rocket allows us to fulfill our promise."

The 13^th Reach for the Stars ~ National Rocket Competition National Winners (alphabetical order) –
   Adam Chernetsky (13) was the winner at Flagler Air Force Base in Jacksonville, Florida at a STEM Camp led by Lt JG William Sunda.
   Dale Cournoyer (14) scored his win at Cedar Key School in Crystal River, Florida under the direction of teacher, Tina Hackey. Ms Hackey involves hundreds of her students in the RFTS Competition annually.
   Emmanuel Florentino (12) competed at Mendez Fundamental Intermediate School in Santa Ana, California. His teacher, Andrea Earl enters her students every year.
   Keegan Gater (12) took the honors at Sarasota School of Arts & Sciences in Sarasota, Florida. Teacher Christine Fleming ran the event.
   Shea Marsh (11) competed at Wilkinson Elementary School in Sarasota, Florida where all fifth graders are given the opportunity to enter the RFTS Competition every year. Teachers Ed Hashey and Mark Harrison were in charge.
   Abriyel Opoku (10) won at the first RFTS Competition run at the Drake Planetarium in Cincinnati, Ohio. Pam Bowers, Director of the Rockin' Rockets Summer Camp.

Sponsors receive national recognition and the satisfaction of - Helping Kids Reach for the Stars. More information is available at http://www.rocketcompetition.com.

The 14^th annual Reach for the Stars ~ National Rocket Competition is underway. It is dedicated to the Apollo Astronauts.