The Source for Last Night's Disturbance in the Force Found - It was Jordan Smith's Last Mission at the Christa McAuliffe Space Center. He Retires After 10 Years Faithful Service.

      

Mason Perry struggled to get the Phoenix microphone away from Jordan when the last "Amen" was said on Jordan's final flight. It was painful to watch.  "It's called tough love," Mason said after the microphone was secure in his hands. "Jordan needed to let go and say goodbye. I did what I had to do to get him out the door. Let it be known throughout the land that the Phoenix is now entering the Age of Mason!"

We thought the day would never come, but it did. And when it took its final bow at 11:59 P.M. Saturday it took with it our friend Jordan Smith, a ten year veteran of the Space Center and Former Phoenix Set Director.  Holding his hand throughout his final mission was his padawan Mason Perry and his mentor Jon Parker.  There were others who would never forgive themselves if they hadn't volunteered to serve with Jordan one last time. 

Jordan's Last staff for his last mission. And then on Mason's orders (the new Phoenix Set Director) They turned their phasers on Jordan to remove him as a potential future rival to the Phoenix throne

I was on hand to photograph the start of his swan song mission at 3:30 P.M. but because the mission was a 5 hour I couldn't stay.  8:30 P.M. for me is like midnight to someone 

much younger. Therefore, I'm grateful for Audrey, The Troubadour's CMSC's onsite photographer, for taking the post mission photographs and Jon Parker for videoing the final few minutes of his mission.  

Jordan held his composure during his pre-boarding speech and assigning of stations.  Little did his crew know of the importance of the mission to their flight director and how uncomfortably crowded the Phoenix Control Room was with Jordan well wishes on the other side of the wall they were facing. 

 

Yes, I suppose it wasn't Covidlike to all be in such close quarters but one takes risks for one's friends - right?  Jon had just returned with his lunch from Daylight Donuts and was wondering what all the fuss was about.  Once reminded it was Jordan's final day, he cordially shared his lunch with the volunteers and staff in honor of the occasion. Each received a quarter of a donut with the promise to not ask for seconds and to wash up afterwards.  

I'm not sure Jordan received his Daylight ration due to his responsibilities in the hallway sorting the crew into their respective rolls.  

Jordan began his "Welcome to the Bridge" monolog after everyone found their seat. I retired to the control room before he started the knock knock who's there routine.  I wanted to claim my quarter of a donut before they were gone. 

Jordan with his last crew at the end of the 5 hour mission

A short video of the last few minutes of Jordan's last flight will be posted here in a day or two.  Jon is getting the video ready.

A Few of Jordan's Mileposts Along His Ten Year Road at the Space Center   

I went through The Troubadour's past posts and found a few highlighting Jordan. I'd like to share them with you today.....

May 2012

We have something to celebrate today (a good excuse for a post, wouldn't you say?).

This is James Smith.  James is pictured above receiving his navy blue Flight Director's shirt from Her Graciousness, Odyssey Set Director, Christine.  This honor makes James the Odyssey's newest ordained Flight Director.

Her Graciousness, Christine, The First of Her Name, proclaimed last Saturday James Smith day here in Wonderland.  Everyone at the Space Center had to bow as he passed and, upon pain of banishment, refer to him as Sir James.   

Sir James is shown in the photograph above receiving enthusiastic praise and applause from collared nobles and black shirted peasants.  I'm standing in the background surveying the staff and volunteers, looking for anyone showing disrespect.  Occasionally we have a volunteer unaware of the reverence required toward a newly collared Knight of the Realm.  These poor unfortunates are taken from the room, flogged and returned very repentant - never to make such a mistake again.

I found one, his name was Jordan, the younger brother of revered James.  He was in the back snickering at the accolades showered upon his older brother.  I snapped my fingers and pointed him out.  Two Collared Knights responded, pushing chairs and tables out of their way to apprehend him.  The solemn assembly was briefly interrupted by his weeping and wailing for forgiveness.  I was moved by his sincerity and called for silence and his temporary release.

I turned to Sir James.  "Sir James, this kinsman of yours has shown you disrespect.  I leave his fate to you.  Shall he go free and return to his chair yonder or shall he be taken at once to the tower for flogging?

James thought for a moment before speaking. "Off with his head!" he said slowly and deliberately.   The room went quiet.  Jordan nearly fainted.  Even I was astonished at the severity of the sentence.  A moment or two passed before James spoke again. "Just kidding.  Flog him and leave him in the cell.  I'll pick him up on my way home."

The room erupted in cheers at Jordan's reprieve.  Jordan regained consciousness. "Your brother has saved your neck from a fatal meeting with the executioner's blade. 'Tis a flogging only!" someone shouted from the crowd.

"A flogging only?" Jordan whimpered at his brother. Sir James nodded.

"Thank you Sir.  Oh, Thank you for the flogging I'm about to receive."  Jordan's face brightened and continued to beam as he was escorted from the room.  James held out his arms signalling his desire for another round of applause.

It was another wonderful day here at the Space Center.

June 2012.  Jordan Earned his Phoenix Pass and Pin From Dave Daymont  

Jordan in June 2012

From The Troubadour, June 2012

 

This is Mr. Daymont congratulating young Jordan Smith on the occasion of his receiving a Phoenix Pin.  Jordan is one of those volunteers who never stops talking.  He talks and talks and talks and talks - almost non-stop.

"I can never get a word in edgewise," Mr. Daymont confided in me just last week.  "What do I do?  You've got to help me.  He knows something about everything.  I bring up a subject I'm sure he knows nothing about and OFF HE GOES throwing out facts, figures, prose, poetry and dialog."  

I promised Mr. Daymont I'd figure out a way to contain Jordan's abundant, vocal, and demonstrative enthusiasm.  I could be rich if his energy could be bottled and sold as an elixir for diminished attentiveness 

November 2014

     

      Phoenix Set Director Miranda is getting far too lax in her team expectations.  Here she is seen flight directing the Phoenix - FROM A STOOL!  Jordan, supposedly her subordinate, is sitting in the flight director's chair.  Notice he is also out of uniform.
     Could it be that Jordan is calling the shots in the Phoenix now?  Could Mr. Porter, CMSEC Director, have a potential staffing problem on his hands?  Does Miranda have the backbone to stand up to this usurper - this young claimant to power?  Can Jordan be shut down before he makes his next move?

     It may be too late for poor Miranda.  It appears Jordan's next move was already in play.  He brought in the heavy guns for this coup d'état.   

Jordan Smith Become Phoenix Flight Director September 2015

Jordan sitting on the bridge of the Phoenix on the day 

of his appointment as Phoenix Set Director

September 5, 2015

Jordan Receives his 5 Year Pin.  February 2017

     Jordan Smith received his 5 Years of Service Pin from Space Center Director James Porter at an Honor's Night in February 2017.
     Jordan started volunteering at the Space Center during my reign way back in the summer of 2012. Yesterday he reminded me that he was the first in his family to volunteer, not his big brother James. 

June 2017.  Jordan Attends the Fireman's Breakfast with the Staff

Jordan Smith, the last at the trough, continued to consume after everyone else had their fill and moved on. Jordan is a gentleman, scholar, and a good man to have on your side in any eating competition.  I think the firemen had to bring him back to the Space Center in the ambulance.  He was too full to walk. 

January 2019.  

Jordan Smith is Named Phoenix Set Director Again Having Returned from an LDS Mission.  Jon Parker Says He is Too Busy When In Reality He is Just Getting Too Old for the Task

     Why is it the Phoenix always has outstanding set directors?  That tradition continued with the appointment of Jordan Smith as the new Phoenix Set Director replacing Jon Parker who has been given other duties as Assistant Director of the Christa McAuliffe Space Center. At least that is story Jon tells.  

     Rumor has it that Jon is responsible for the disappearance of the Romulan Ale set aside for Mr. Porter's Time Lord toast.  According to the CMSC staff, Jon has been in a better mood lately and more forgiving of minor mistakes in the operation of the simulators.  There is also the time I found him outside the Space Center on a cold Saturday evening throwing snowballs at passing cars while shouting, "Fire Photon Torpedoes!".  

     Regardless of how he got the appointment, we want to congratulate Jordan for his new position. 

And A Few Final Thoughts On Jordan's Retirement

     Finally, having known and worked with Jordan for over 10 years, I want this history to record that of all the hundreds and hundreds of volunteers and staff I've had the pleasure of working with over the last 31 plus years, Jordan ranks at or near the top when it comes to those qualities which make a person truly likeable and genuine; kindness, generosity, warm heartedness, and dedication. If these deep space missions were real, Jordan would be on my must have list of bridge officers.  

     Congratulations Jordan on graduating from university and landing your first high paying job in a field where you'll excel.

Your Space Center family will miss you very much but please remember, your departure papers have the "Reactivation" Clause" triggerable upon an emergency the remaining troops cannot resolve, like how to start the Phoenix properly :) 

Mr. Williamson

Imaginarium Theater

The Best Videos From Around the World Edited for a Gentler Audience

My Students Prepare for War. The Story of Experiential Education at Work in my 6th Grade Classroom. The Imaginarium Theater

My Classroom's Roman Emperor during our Rome Unit

     Those of us in the Space EdVentures community know the importance of experiential education. It is our field of expertise. It is what we do with our spaceship simulators and simulations.  I started using simulations during my student teaching at Central Elementary in 1983.  We used poster board control panels for starship controls. I played the main computer and all characters sitting behind my desk with overhead projector.  My use of simulations went beyond my fictional starship.  I created historical simulations which ran through most of the school year.  These simulations included

1.  World War One living through the Russian experience.

2.  The Russian Revolution of 1917.

3.  The Weimar Republic of Germany

4.  The rise of the Nazi party and World War II

5.  Post World War two and the rise of communism.

     Even today former students of mine will stop me in a store or send an email telling me how much they learned and enjoyed those simulations.  Students like Kenny Packer, who sent the following message over Christmas.

Kenny Packer as the Russian Tsar with Prime Minister Ryan Tingey (1988) and  Kenneth Packer and wife today in Russia
   

Your classroom was inspiring.  This was the beginning of my interest and love for Russia my career path in instruction, and my self awareness that power can corrupt. I’ll never forget the day you gave me a choice to keep the power after the simulated revolution or give it away to Ben Gurr who was playing the role of Lenin. Having tasted what it felt like to have everyone in the room stand up when you entered etc. I broke from the history you were trying to teach and said I wanted to keep the power for myself.  Thank you for teaching us beyond just facts and figures. Your gift for teaching is something I will spend a lifetime trying to learn and replicate.

     Today I teach 6th grade world history and math in addition to running the Young Astronauts Club at Renaissance Academy. I take my daily 50 minute history period and break it into three segments. The largest block of time is spent learning ancient history. We're currently studying ancient Rome.  A smaller portion of time is spent discussing current world affairs.  The last time segment is reserved for modern history.  In modern history the class is moving its way crisis by crisis to summer 1914 and a historical flash point in Sarajevo, Bosnia Herzegovina.   

      As you can see in the two photos below, there are troubles brewing in the Balkans.   

     My class is playing Russia's part in the build up to World War I.  We are currently working our way through the Russo/Japanese War. That war sets the stage for WWI. Newspapers go up nearly every day outside my classroom on the door and on the doorway.  My students know to read the news as they arrive.  This sets up the class discussions for that day. The photo above is from last year's class.  They were on the verge of war.  

                This year's news is seen above and below. 

 

     Tyler is one of my 6th grade students and plays the role of the Russian Czar.  The job was his because he had the highest history grade average at the end of the second term.  The ambassadorships and banking jobs are given out the same way - to those with the highest history GPA's at the end of the second term.

The current class government officials

     The ambassadors fly their nation's flags on their desks during both history and math class.  

     They never know when a message may come in from their country.  Diplomatic mail is placed on the whiteboard as it comes in.  

     The messages are written in that country's language.  The ambassadors use Google translate to translate the messages into English for the Czar and class to hear.  

      Czar Tyler has many problems to solve.  He is moving Russia's Baltic Fleet around the world to attack Japan.  The fleet is old and badly in need of repair. Fueling his ship with coal is another problem.  Most nations won't supply coal to the Russian fleet.  He will be forced to negotiate with his cousin, the German Kaiser, for coal to be purchased as the fleet rounds Africa.  

Czar Tyler's Declaration of War Against Japan

     To keep the simulation as real as possible I operate a class economy. Students earn class money for their grades in math and history, their weekly progress reports, and from small side businesses they operate. One entrepreneurial student sells soda from his locker at lunchtime.  

     Czar Tyler earns money to operate the government, pay his officials, and run a war by taxing the classes.  All 83 sixth graders pay their share to keep the system working.  They soon learn fighting a war can be expensive.  Often they have little cash left to spend on Friday treats (pastries, cookies, cupcakes, rolls, and croissants I supply every week)  after taxes.  Soon they grow restless and dare I say "revolutionary" - which leads to more headaches for the Czar. The ambassadors are exempt from taxes but must pay rent and utilities for their embassies.

   The Czar, Prime Minister, and Bankers sit at a set of desks in the back corner of the room under the Russian Imperial flag. The bankers are responsible for the imperial finances.  Financing a war can be stressful.  Currently most of the Pacific fleet is non operational because of a superior Japanese naval force. 
     Currently the class is desperately trying to raise funds to rebuild the nation's navy.  The Imperial Bank prints class money.  I use photocopied money collected during my world travels. 

     

     My job is to keep the simulation as true to history as possible. Instead of reading history, my students live it, and by doing so they gain an understanding as to WHY things happen and not just WHAT happened. 

     I started doing the historical simulations at Central  Elementary School in Pleasant Grove in 1983. They ran every year until I opened the Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center in 1990. 

The British Prime Minister's office. Room 20. Central Elementary School
 1985

The disappearing German population. The class was playing Germany's role in the start of World War II. 

Jesse was the German Chancellor during the German Weimar Republic.  He couldn't stop hyperinflation from
destroying the savings of most of the students in the class.
1985

     A darkness will soon descend on the classroom as time carries us to 1914.  Hard lessons will be learned and fortunes lost.  Such is the way of things. Such is the glory of experiential education. 

Mr. Williamson  

Imaginarium Theater

The Best Videos From Around the World Edited for a Gentler Audience

  

Jon Parker Celebrates 17 Years at the Christa McAuliffe Space Center and Proclaimed "Keeper of Memories". From the Archives "Honor's Night and Mr. Williamson Bribed". Imaginarium Theater

Jon Parker celebrated his 17th anniversary at the Space Center on Saturday by wearing one of his first volunteer shirts - the Burgundy.  You don't see many Burgundies on people's backs these day.  It was a shirt style that lasted a while until I got tired of the color and decreed that from henceforth all volunteers would wear black.  The policy is still in effect. 

For my benefit, Jon recreated one of his earliest memories as a young volunteer all those years ago.  He wore the Burgundy on Saturday knowing I would be flying the Cassini's morning mission. He sat in the Cassini's IIFX position (second chair) and cowered in his seat while looking at me with fear and dreading.  Would Mr. Williamson yell at him for missing a video clue?  Would he be berated for not pausing the video fast enough or backtracking to rid the screen of the VCR video pause lines?  Would he get the infamous Mr. Williamson's hand slammed down on the counter top.  YIKES, was I really that bad when flying the Voyager?  I guess I was sometimes, and I emphasis the word 'sometimes'.  Hey, I was under enormous stress those 23 years I directed the Space Center.  

Jon's computer desktop runs a timer program.  He has it programmed with his Space Center milestones.  It is almost like he's tracking his days in purgatory, counting up so when he meets his maker in the next life he can prove he paid for his sins while on Earth.  

In honor of Jon's 17 years at the Center, I proclaim Jon Parker the Keeper of Memories.  Jon remembers nearly everything from his 17 years at the Center, and constantly reminds me of things I'd forgotten long ago. The Space Center's history is locked firmly in his memory banks, at least everything from the last 17 years.  Before that, we must rely on the aging memories of our senior friends but not me. I am the official "Forgetter of Memories".  The floppy disks I operate on are spinning on 1/2 speed at best.  

Congratulations Jon on your 17th anniversary!  So Say We All.

The First Image of a Solar System Other Than Our Own Has been Released

"It is at this time I would like formally declare sole ownership of aforementioned solar system, and everything in it, under the universal law of "dibs". For all time, in perpetuity. Excluding any debt it may have incurred, that's E.T.'s responsibility.
It shall henceforth be known as Boogerville, it's flag shall feature The Bird...figured predominantly on a field of azure" 

I wanted to lay claim to the system as my domain but was beat to the post by the gentleman who wrote the claim above.  Rest assured, I will be ready to lay claim to the next one announced.  

Mr. Williamson

From The Troubadour's Archives.  Ten Year Ago This Week at the Space Center.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 2012

Mark and Logan Honored and Mr. Williamson Caught Accepting a Bribe from a Fan.

Space Center Fans Waiting outside the Center deliriously hoping to catch a
glimpse of Mark and Logan. Mark and Logan are the Space Center's
newest teen idols after receiving their awards on Saturday.

Hello Troops,
Celebrity is a burden many of our volunteers carry after being honored at one of the Space Center's post Overnight Camp meetings.

"Before today I was just, well you know - Mark," Mark said after receiving both his Odyssey and Galileo Pins. "Listen to those screams. How am I going to get home in one piece?"

Mark receiving his Odyssey Pin from Christine, Odyssey's Set Director

Mark getting his Galileo Pin from Ben Murdock. Stacy, The Galileo Set Director, was absent.

Stacy was on the program to award a Galileo Pass Pin to Mark. However, at the appointed time Mark had no choice but to accept the award from Ben Murdock. Stacy was unable to get to the meeting. Crowds of Mark and Logan's admirers, along with Pleasant Grove's paparazzi, filled the parking lot and blocked every entrance into the school.

Luckily one of the younger volunteers saw Stacy's head bobbing up and down over the crowd near the flagpole while watching Mark and Logan's screaming fans from the school's front doors.

"Mr. Williamson!" the volunteer shouted from the foyer. "I see Stacy near the flagpole. She can't get through the mob."

I looked for myself. The volunteer was right. Stacy's green flight director shirt was spotted in the sea of delirious teenage fans. I organized a posse of older staff and volunteers to push their way through the crowd to collect her.

"It's a madhouse out there," Stacy said breathlessly after having been half carried, half dragged into the school. We sat her down on one of the foyer's benches with a cup of hot cocoa. Erin put a blanket around her shivering shoulders. She apologized to Mark for missing the awards. Mark understood. He knew her experience was soon to be his when his ride home arrived to collect him.

"Am I in time to give Logan his Galileo Award?" Stacy asked.

"Are you up to it?" I asked.

" I am," she replied. "Logan worked to hard for me to delegate this to someone else. I'll push through the pain. Help me up."

We helped her stand and walk to the Discovery Room.
"Stacy's here," a voice shouted.
Applause rang out when she walked through the classroom's door. Stacy stopped for a moment to accept the staff and volunteers' appreciation of her harrowing ordeal before walking to the front of the room to meet Logan.

"There's hundreds of screaming girls out there calling out your name," she said while pinning the pin on Logan's lanyard.

"Welcome to my life," Logan responded. "How to you think I got these?" Logan held out both arms. Partially healed scratches covered each arm from elbow to hand. " Your life is no longer your own once word gets out you're going to get a Space Center award."

"Amen!" shouted many of the gathered staff and volunteers - each having lived through their own ordeal of getting an award.

Stacy Awarding a Galileo Pin to Logan.

I stood and made an announcement after Mark and Logan were honored .

"Troops, today we say goodbye to one of our own who will be leaving for an LDS mission to Argentina." I paused to let the news sink in. Everyone in the room stared at Abram. Abram waved from his chair in the back of the room.

"Abram, we have a card for you and a small gift." I called Abram to the front to receive everyone's gratitude for a job well done.

Abram started at the Space Center while in junior high. Over the years I was impressed with his can do attitude and good naturedness with the students, staff and volunteers. They don't come better than Abram. We all wish him the best in Argentina.

Thank you Abram!

Isaac bearing a Brib... hummm a "gift"

And finally a confession which could land me in a spot of trouble. Last Thursday a young man named Issac arrived with friends to attend the Phoenix's Open Mission, flight directed by none other than the Space Center's very own Dave Daymont.

Isaac walked up to me while I was seated at my desk and slipped me this note. Attached to the note was real American money. Yes, I'm talking about real American money - none of that phony Canadian stuff. On the note he'd written that he was a regular reader of The Troubadour and had read how easy it was to bribe me with a Diet Mt. Dew. The note went on to say that the cash was to be used for a Diet Dew.

I say this could land me in a spot of trouble because of my position as an employee of the Alpine School District - a government organization. We don't take kindly to the bribing of government officials in this republic of ours, so I hesitated to accept the card and money. But in the end I confess to accepting the "gift". How could I turn down such a heartfelt offer from a young Space Center fan. I only hope the judge feels the same way if any of you turn me in to the authorities.

Now let me emphatically repeat that giving gifts to government officials is frowned upon in our American culture. However, until our elected leaders in Salt Lake and Washington decide not to accept all the freebies showered on them by lobbyists and political action committees, I'll feel perfectly fine accepting the occasion soda from a well wisher wanting to grease the palm of someone who could make or break his simulator mission :)

Thanks Isaac. The Diet Dew was delicious and thank you for being a regular reader.

Mr. Williamson

Imaginarium Theater

The Best Videos From Around the World Edited for a Gentler Audience