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| Mark at the helm and Paige at Operations |
The young officers met in my classroom at 3:30 P.M. for an introduction to the Young Astronaut Club and an overview of the club's objectives. They know they must maintain their grades in math and science to keep their flight ready status in the fleet.
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| Isaac at Sensors and Savannah at Communications |
The Space Academy has 200 Young Astronauts (grades 3-6) and Voyagers (grades 7-8) divided into squadrons of 10 cadet officers to a squadron. Their pledge,
"I pledge my best efforts to learn about space and further the cause of human space exploration. I will work to improve my grades in math and science and be the best I can be at home, at school, and in my community."
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| Mr. Bracken Funk, Assistant Director at the Space Academy, reviews the Damage Control Station with Liam, Porter, and Audrey. |
Before boarding the Voyager, I had the pleasure of briefing the cadets on their mission. Along with the briefing was a full detailed description of their Jumpship Voyager. In addition to the occasional Star Trek story, the Space Academy has adopted the Farpoint Universe using both Interstellar and Thorium Software Controls. The Voyager is one of five top of the line ships in the Farpoint Capital Fleet: Voyager at Renaissance Academy, Hyperion at Telos University, and the Everest, Dauntless, and Valiant at Canyon Grove Academy.
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| First Officer Quinton and Captain Jackson Review their Command Controls |
The sixth grade cadets were excited over the realism and attention to true science written into the Farpoint Universe. For example, gone are the deflector shields, in their place - a double hull with various options for repair. They expressed some doubt over their ability to remember the many steps to correctly operate a large Jumpship.; not to mention the complexities of flight, hyperspace, and maintenance.
Gone are the days when technobabble solves the day's problems. The cadets are also excited about the business aspects of the universe. They have a ship budget to live by along with accounting that must be done over both finances and ship inventory.
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| Lalith at Counter Intelligence |
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| Isaac at the Sensors Station |
The Tiger Squadron will meet again in a few weeks. Their next meeting will include a space physics lesson on star formation, the lifespan of stars, and the events leading up to a supernova. They promise to be strong contenders for the coveted "Top Team" award. Good Luck Tigers!
Mr. Williamson
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| Lindsey, Lissa, and Audrey Wearing their New Upscale Space Center Outer Wear. Photo compliments of Audrey. |
Space Center Fashion: What Paris, London, New York and Moscow Don't Have
Just in time for the Autumn fashion shows from the planet's top designers comes the Space Center's line up of impressive, durable, fashionable, and futuristic Fall outerwear. Modelling the year's best jacket designs are three top Space Center models, flight directors, and supervisors: Lindsey, Lissa, and Audrey.
The zippers are made from the sturdiest Rigellian steel imported by Galactic ACME and shipped to Earth by their partners Ferengi Interstellar Shipping who specialize in Next Month Delivery as long as no questions are asked.
The material is a special weave of carbon filaments intertwined with Vulcan mesh engineered to dissipate the energy from a full phaser blast. You'll live, but the 2nd and 3rd degree burns will keep you up at night.
Have you thought about what you'll wear under your chic Space Center Jacket? Please consider these two trendy frocks from the leaders in galactic design. Both will result in a mountain of debt, but you'll be the best dressed, in Vogue volunteer or staff when you make your fashionable arrival to your next mission. Ask about these, and other designs for the well travelled space enthusiast, the next time you visit the Space Center's Gift Shop and Emporium.
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| From the Archives: A Voyager Crew lined up outside the school's stage doors for boarding. Notice their rank badges. July 2007 |
December 2, 2002
Stazi (Midnight Rescue) is Doing Very Well for a New Mission. Jason Hills, Chase Wooten, Bryce Redd, and Charlie Heaton Announce Their Retirement. Julie Collett and Landon Hemsley Promoted to Five Bars. Alex DeBirk and Jameson McDougal to Star in Their High School Plays.
Space Missionaries to be Filmed at the Center. School Safety and New Equipment (VCR/DVD) Purchased.
Hello Troops,
I apologize for not maintaining a regular journal. I could say I've been busy. That would be partly true. Another excuse would involve an explanation that everything is running the same as always and nothing of importance has transpired. Again, this is partly true. Could there be room for a spell of laziness? Oh, perhaps. Don't we all sit down at times and attempt to "write" and find we always have mountains to say but very little to write? Human nature I guess. I need a computer that will sit on my lap and let me talk to it. As if by magic my words would appear on the screen, spelled correctly and grammatically `on the mark'.
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| The Galileo's Crew in the first Galileo. Summer 2007 |
News of the Space Center:
The new Stazi mission is going well. I am enjoying telling Stazi. It 's a mission with a definite "bang" for an ending. Ask the staff and interns about the cheering we get as the crews cross the Stazi border and sail out of weapons range of the dreaded Stazi and Klingons. I'm pleased to report that classes are coming well prepared. We can attribute that to the fantastic pre-visit curriculum Jennifer Remy prepared.
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| In the Galileo. Summer 2007 |
We've started working with the Mesa Clubs from the Jordan School District. They come right after school. I wasn't sure how they would take to Stazi considering their age and coolness factor. My fears were proven wrong. Secondary students enjoy the mission even more than elementary. I think they understand the concepts of diplomacy, international law, diplomatic
immunity, and the function of a country's embassy in a foreign land better than the younger kids. Briefing them before their missions is fun.I keep throwing problem after problem at them. I tell them the situation is fluid and changing minute by minute. That perks their interest and motivates them to get out into the simulators and get down to business.
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| The Phoenix Captain and First Officer Summer 2007. For a little while there the Phoenix was a full sized Galaxy Class Ship. It made it easier to share video tracks and stories with the Voyager. |
Staff News:
We have a few retirements to announce. Jason Hills, Chase Wooten, Bryce Redd, and Charlie Heaton have all announced their intentions to retire and move on to other opportunities. We will say goodbye to them at Honor's Night, December 4th. I'm going to miss these outstanding volunteers and wish them good fortune as they set sail and continue with their interests and schooling.
Julie Collett and Landon Hemsley will be promoted to five bars on Thursday. Both have been training extensively and have received certification to begin doing private missions – a requirement to receive the rank of five bars.
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| The Voyager's Captain and First Officer |
Lorraine Houston's son has entered the MTC. Landon Hemsley received the rank of Eagle Scout. Alex DeBirk stared in Lone Peak High School's production of "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers". Jameson McDougal stared in Orem High School's production of Les Miserables. Report cards came out. I'm very pleased with the grades our volunteers are getting. Way to Go!!! And Keep it up!
I received a letter from Josh Webb. He is doing fine in the MTC. He writes that his missionary friends call him the Trekkie and give him the Spock salute every time they see him. He said he tried to explain what the Center is but they just don't get it. There is good news also. Josh has been made an Assistant to the President and supervises the other missionaries during the evening, – kind of like a chaperone. He attributes this leadership position a direct result of his training at the Center.
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| The Voyager's Security Officers giving the Thumbs Up. They think they are ready for anything my staff has to dish out. Little do they know.... |
Other News:
Rowland Hall Saint Marks Academy borrowed our famous squeaking cots for a school play.
There is a student made film being shot at the Center. "Space Missionaries" is the working title. The director and producer tell me they hope to release the video to the LDS seminaries next school year. Will it happen? I have my doubts a seminary teacher would show it - but never mind. We are getting paid for the use of the facility so we come out in the black regardless how the video does.
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| A very happy camper on the bridge of the Voyager Summer 2007 |
Security of the Center is an issue. We had several kids in the building last overnighter. They got in through the doors by the kindergarten room. Randy brought it to my attention. I went down and chased them out of the building. I discovered they got into the school because the custodian forgot to lock the outside main doors. We also find the outside gym doors open on a regular basis before we leave in the evening after the Voyager's private missions. I
encourage everyone to be mindful of the school's security. Always check the school's doors and windows after school hours.
We will be moving the Falcon's cabinets to the Galileo side of the cafeteria. Bob Lindstrom, Central's chief custodian, will be returning from surgery. He has been absent nearly a year with two knee replacements. The cafeteria has been thoroughly cleaned over the Thanksgiving break to give him a nice clean school to start with.
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| The Voyager's Communications Officer |
New Equipment:
The Center has purchased a new ibook for the Galileo. We have a new DVD/VCR combo unit for the Briefing Room. The Odyssey's video system was overhauled last weekend. Kyle Herring and Chris Call spent several hours installing the new, simplified system. I consider this a real improvement to Odyssey operations.
I've rambled on enough. End of Journal Entry.
Mr. Williamson
Imaginarium Theater
The Best Gifs from around the World Edited for a Gentler Audience
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