Honor's Night at the Christa McAuliffe Space Center. The Old Rank Advancement System, 2000-2023. Imaginarium Theater.

Editor's Note:  I always do my best to report the news as I see it here in The Troubadour, but there have been times where I may have mis-remembered a few events; perhaps adding a quazifact here or misreading an event there. If so, blame it on my overactive imagination and advanced age. So with that being said, let's jump right in shall we :)   

     Thursday evening was Honor's Night at the Christa McAuliffe Space Center. Honor's Night is where we celebrate the accomplishments and hard work of our volunteers and staff. I opened the event with what I consider a hearty welcome to all gathered. Then, with a bit of finesse, I seamlessly transitioned  the welcome into a brief yet moving history of Honor's Nights through the ages.  Sitting in the audience and nodding their heads in agreement were older Space Center veterans.  A few looked wistfully with aging eyes into the darkened dome as they remembered the time long ago when it was their moment in the spotlight. With younger legs and heartier hearts, they sprinted to the front of the original Space Center's Discovery Room to receive their first Honors from Set and Flight Directors who have long since disappeared into Space Center lore.  Ah, good times and good memories. 

     My front porch recollections came to an end after noticing Mr. Porter mouthing the words, "You're losing them," from his front row seat.  A kind gesture intended not to offend but to keep the evening moving along.  Younger audiences have shorter attention spans - something I should know all too well.  So, with all the enthusiasm a 65 year old can muster at 6:40 P.M., I introduced Mr. Porter and took to my seat to prepare to take the official Honor's Night photos. 

 

James Porter, Space Center Director

Mr. Porter started with the usual reminders.

1. Dress appropriately so our visitors know you work here and not someone from the street looking for a warm meal, a hand out, and a bed for the night. 

2. Take a shower and use deodorant because you stink if you don't and our control rooms are small. 

"A word of advice," he said to the younger volunteers moving into their adolescence years. "If you're sitting in a control room and you notice people's eyes watering up as they slide their chairs in a direction opposite from where you're sitting - it may be because you stink." 

Mikey W., Voyager Club President (Notice the new double V hand sign for Voyager Club Members Only)

     I was asked to return to the podium with Voyager Club news. I thanked Aiden for his work as our first Voyager Club president and introduced Mikey as the Club's new president.  Mikey stood to receive the room's applause, and then proceeded down the stairs toward the podium to make a few remarks. As he navigated the steps I noticed half a ream of paper in his hands of "changes" he wanted to make in the Club now that he was in firm control.  He also produced a hat from his back pocket with MSCGA embroidered on its front (Make the Space Center Great Again).  I kindly motioned for him to return to his seat which he did reluctantly. Strangely I felt a chill fill the room. Either the air conditioner kicked on or perhaps it's origin was something more sinister???

The Honor's. New Set Directors

Ellie Clark Received the Cassini Microphone from Former Set Director Jon Parker

     Jon Parker presented Ellie Clark with the Cassini microphone, and with we see a peaceful transition of power as Ellie becomes the Cassini's 2nd Set Director.  We're not sure what Ellie intends to do with this new power, but I'm hearing from somewhat reliable sources that there will be some changes. As Ellie said upon receiving the microphone, "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet People!"

     Jon did a great job with the Cassini, but with student teaching and a pending college graduation coming up in a couple months, Jon has found there aren't enough hours in the day to do everything he'd like.  Ellie also knows that Jon will be peering over her shoulder. He is, after all, the simulation's director at the Space Center.  He will be patrolling the halls of Starbase Williamson wearing white gloves looking for anything amiss. I doubt even a misplaced whisper of lint on the carpet will miss his eye.  

JJ Madigan receives the Falcon Microphone from James Porter

      JJ Madigan is the Falcon's 2nd Set Director.  James Porter was the simulator's first.  JJ nearly dislocated Mr. Porter's arm as he lunged for the microphone during the solemn hand off ceremony. "I'm OK, I'm OK," Mr. Porter said as a few of us in the front row jumped up to offer assistance.  

     JJ's enthusiasm comes as no surprise to all of us. He has worked hard to earn that microphone. There are rumors he's even spent several nights sleeping on the Falcon's bridge just to keep the simulator company during the long end of summer cleaning shut downs when there are no flights for a couple weeks. 

     "Out with the Old and In With the New! is the Falcon's new  mission statement," said JJ in his first post investiture interview with The Troubadour's reporter covering the event that night.       

The Honors. The Magellan Pin

Those receiving their Magellan Pass Off Pin

     Tyler Gotcher was proud of his new class of young Padawans at Honor's Night. These are they who put the Magellan first during much of the summer camp season. These are they who endure so much for this opportunity to stand in front of the congregation with their wise and powerful Master to receive this small metallic token of be proudly worn on their lanyards of power.  

The Honors. The Phoenix Pin 

Oliver Utley receiving his Phoenix Pin from his SubMaster Scott Wiltbank

   Standing in for Silver Perry, the Phoenix's Set Director, Scott Wiltbank presented the Phoenix Pin to Oliver.  Yes Scott, Oliver is "The Man" as your picture illustrates so well.  Oliver is amazing and considered one of our top Voyager Volunteers at the Space Center. 

The Red Blemish from ??? and the New Red Blemish Played by Oliver

     Oliver also plays an outstanding Red Blemish, reprising the role once played ???? (ah, you think I'd reveal the name of the first Red Blemish?  No, his identity is known to only a few. Let that be your challenge. Unmask the first Red Blemish). 

 

The Honors. The Galileo Pin

Orion Presents the new Galileo Pin Holders

  Orion presented the new Galileo Pin holders to the congregation at Honor's Night.  The Little Ship that Could has produced a bumper crop of outstanding pass holders.  With a Galileo pin, a youngling can expect preferential treatment from the admission's office at Starfleet Academy.  Expect to hear great things about these three as they proceed along their chosen career path in Starfleet.   

The Honors. The Falcon Pin

JJ with the first ever Falcon Pin Awardees. History in the Making

     It was a historic night at the Space Center. For the first time ever, the Falcon awarded its first pass off pins to Mikey Wiltbank, Thomas Rice, and Kayla Hansen.  To top that, the presenter was JJ Madigan, the Falcon's new Set Director.  

     Had I been more alert I would have arranged for balloons to drop from the dome in celebration or at least passed out blow-ticklers.  

The Honors. Apprentices 

The Honors. Journeyman 

The Honors. Hitchhikers

The Honors. Defenders of the Universe

The Honors. New Staff

New Hires in the picture above,

Rylan, Kayla, Cecily, Aiden, and Micah

The Honors. Lords and Ladies of the Vote

Those who earned the most camper votes during the last summer camp season

The Honors. The Summer's Top Flight Directors

Sorry Tyler for cutting off your name. That is Tyler Gotcher in #5

The Honors. The Summer's Top Missions

Hayden Senske and Scott Wiltbank Representing the Phoenix for the Phoenix's Top Summer Story "Fatal Error".  Missing is Silver Perry, the Phoenix Set Director

The Honors. The Summer's Top Simulators

Team Falcon receiving the Honor of Top Simulator for the 2023 Summer Space Camp Season. Mr. Porter, JJ, Mikey, Rylan, and Nan

The Honors. Remembering Saint Sheila Powell A Space Center Educator

Saint Sheila Powell escorting a group of field trip students to the simulators from their restroom break.  Sheila and Lorraine Houston were the dream team of Space Center field trip instructors back in the day.  Sheila had recently retired as a sixth-grade teacher from the Jordan School District when I convinced her to come join our staff as a field trip teacher. Those years rest nicely on my memory. 

     Honor's Night was special because of a special someone we honored.  Sheila Powell, an amazing teacher and friend who loved the Space Center deeply and worked tirelessly to promote our vision of creating a space faring civilization.  Sheila passed away two months ago after fighting a courageous battle with Parkinson's Disease. 

Her many contributions as a teacher in Jordan District, the Utah Geography Alliance, and the Christa McAuliffe Space Center made a difference for good in the lives of thousands of children and her coworkers. She retired from the Space Center in 2011 to fight her final great battle against Parkinson's disease. Only something like that could force her to leave the Center. It was her home away from home. It gave her a chance to combine her love of teaching and space to excite our field trip students to look up and imagine what lies out there in the vastness of the cosmos.

My nickname for Sheila was "Saint Sheila" because she was just that to all of us, a Saint. The people I proclaim ‘Saints‘ encapsulate my vision of heroism. They are selfless with their fellow man. They are kind to a fault. They bear their burdens with a strength that inspires. All this, and much more, defined our Saint Sheila.

  I presented Lee Powell, Sheila's husband, with the Space Center's Founder's Award in her memory, an award I should have presented to her in person but the disease took her too soon. The Founder's Award is the highest honor the CMSC can give and is awarded to those who serve and served the Space Center well over many years and who exemplify the Space Center's ideals and mission.

Lee and Sheila Powell

     Casey Voeks flew in from Texas to attend and delivered a moving tribute.  Aleta Clegg recorded a beautiful tribute which was played on the planetarium's dome.  The final tribute was given by Lorraine Houston.  It was the kind of tribute only a dear friend could give.  

In the end we remembered that Sheila Powell was more than an outstanding teacher; she was a guiding star, a force of nature, and a true champion of education. Her influence extended far beyond the walls of her classroom. Through her dedication, she helped ignite a spark of curiosity and a passion for space in thousands of young minds.

Her legacy is not only written in the stars but etched in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her. Sheila Powell was a beacon of inspiration and a forever member of our Space Center family. Her spirit will continue to guide us towards the limitless possibilities of the cosmos. And so say we all.....

The Space Center's Rank Advancement Program 2000 - 2013.  

With today's post being about Honor's, I thought it may be of interest to today's staff and volunteers to read about the Space Center's rank advancement program from around the year 2000 to 2013.  Here is the breakdown for advancement levels, what you had to do to get the rank, and the perks of each rank.  

Advancement: 

1 Shuttle Patch is earned for every 150 points earned and 6 hours in a Voyager Academy Class, Super Space Saturday, or Naval Academy.

Pioneer:
• Entry Level Volunteer Organization. 1 Mission Observation in 4 of the 5 simulators.

Voyager: 
• Outstanding performance with the customers at the Space Center. Outstanding work performance and work habits in the simulators.  Seniority Points and 2 Shuttle Patches.
•Center Director will make the final decision based on openings in the Voyager Society.

Ranger: 
•Outstanding performance with the customers at the Space Center. (10 camper care points: A. Lord of the Votes. B. Set Director recognition.)  Outstanding work performance and work habits in the simulators.  Recommendation from your Set Director.  Complete pass off of 2 simulators.  Egroup Club Points and 4 Shuttle Patches earned. Mr. Williamson will make the final decision based on job openings.

Ranger: 1 Bar 
• $12.00 gratuity per overnight mission. Outstanding performance with the customers at the Space Center. (15 camper care points: A. Lord of the Votes. B. Set Director recognition.)
•Outstanding work performance and work habits in the simulators.
•Complete pass offs from 3 of the 5 simulators. Earning total of 6 Shuttle Advancement Patches earned. Seniority Points. Center Director will make the final decision based on job openings.

Ranger: 2 Bars 

• $20.00 gratuity per overnight mission. Outstanding performance with the customers at the Space Center. 
(20 camper care points: A. Lord of the Votes. B. Set Director recognition.)
•Outstanding work performance and work habits in the simulators.  Complete pass offs from 3 of the 5 simulators. Earning 8 Shuttle Advancement Patches. Seniority Points. Center Director will make the final decision based on job openings. 

Ranger: 3 Bars 
• $28.00 gratuity per overnight mission. Outstanding performance with the customers at the Space Center. 
(25 camper care points: A. Lord of the Votes. B. Set Director recognition.)
• Outstanding work performance and work habits in the simulators.
• Complete pass offs from 4 of the 5 simulators. Earning 10 Shuttle Advancement Patches.
• Seniority Points. Center Director will make the final decision based on job openings.

Ranger: 4 Bars
• $36.00 gratuity per overnight mission. Outstanding performance with the customers at the Space Center. 
(30 camper care points: A. Lord of the Votes. B. Flight Director recognition.)
• Outstanding work performance and work habits in the simulators.
• Complete pass offs from 4 of 5 simulators.
• Earning 12 Shuttle Advancement Patches.
• Seniority Points. 
• Center Director will make the final decision based on job openings.

Ranger: 5 Bars
• Time Card. 
• At least 16 years old. 
• Outstanding performance with the customers at the Space Center. 
(35 camper care points: A. Lord of the Votes. B. Flight Director recognition.)
• Outstanding work performance and work habits in the simulators.
• Complete pass offs from all simulators.
• Earning 14 Shuttle Advancement Patches.
• Seniority Points. 
• Center Director will make the final decision based on job openings.

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A Few Space Centers' Updates. Imaginarim Theater

The Christa McAuliffe Space Center

Michael Holland was the Featured Speaker at the September Voyager Club Meeting

 

Michael Holland's Presentation on Saturday

     The Voyager Club at the Christa McAuliffe Space Center held its September Club Meeting on Saturday.  The Voyager Club is the Space Center's aerospace club whose mission is to create a space faring civilization. The Voyager Club members make up the Space Center's volunteering force.  There are over 100 members.  

     Michael Holland was the club's guest speaker on Saturday.  Michael is working on a Master's Degree at BYU. He works for NASA's Kennedy Space Center on their Swamp Works. He also does software development for astronomical observatories. He is also the president of BYU's astronomy club.  He and the Swamp Works team are developing mining robots to work on the moon's surface.  The robots will be used to extract water from the moon's soil.  

     Michael spoke to me after the meeting and thanked me and the Space Center staff and volunteers for instilling in him his first love of space and space exploration when he was 13 years old. Michael was a frequent space center camper during his junior high days.     

JJ Madigan is the Cassini's Newest Flight Director

Jon Parker Has No Choice but to Award JJ Madigan his 

Cassini Flight Director Pass

     In a stunning and unexpected decision, Space Center Asst. Director, the Great and Nearly Powerful Jon Parker, awarded JJ Madigan a Cassini Flight Director pass on Saturday. Flight Directorships are hard to come by. One just doesn't slip Jon a 20 dollar bill and walk away with your union card.  It can sometimes take a mind numbing number of hours in the flight director's chair with Jon sitting beside you breathing over your right shoulder before you an agreement is reached and your long apprenticeship ends. 

   JJ is already an accomplished Falcon Flight Director so the Cassini is another notch in his belt as he continues in his quest to conquer all six simulator chairs in what little time he has before life interferes and he is called to other things. 

     Congratulations JJ. 

Nan, a Master Imagineer 

Nan Found in the Act of Creation.  A Central Elementary School Hallway Transformed into an derelict Starship

     

    We highlight Nan Bryan today for her impressive work at the Christa McAuliffe Space Center.  Nan is a Cassini Supervisor who specializes in the art and science of transforming Central Elementary School's halls into otherworldly scenes.  Early this month I found her setting up an away mission for the 5 hour mission "Canada".  Her masterpiece of a bodyless crewman is her trademark.  Wrangling a mass of cables into something meaningful comes in a close second.  

     Without the budgets of a Disney park, all the Space EdVenture Centers in Utah County work magic in their school's hallways with a few lights, cables, and other trinkets.  This requires a heightened imaginative effort from both the staff and the simulators' visiting crew.  We've been doing this for 33 years and it has worked so far. 

     Congratulations Nan on on becoming one of those artists who can create so much with so little. I'm guessing you're also a master at creating Michelin star meals with a few leftovers in the fridge?

Jack Demonstrates What the Blender Class is Creating

     Jack is a young Space Center Voyager Club member and a student in the Space Center's Blender 3D Modeling Club.  These young modelers are learning how to use Blender to create special effects for the Center's six starship simulators.  

The Red Alert clip seen above was his Saturday's creation.   

Honor's Night on September 28th from 6:30 - 8:00 PM

Saint Sheila with her husband Lee

     The Christa McAuliffe Space Center will hold its biannual Honor's Night this Thursday in the planetarium theater.  Space Center volunteers and employees will receive a variety of honors linked to their achievements and lengths of service. 

     Sheila Powell, a former Space Center educator who passed away recently, will be honored with the Founder's Award at this Honor's Night. Her husband, Lee, will be receiving the honor on her behalf.  All former Space Center volunteers and employees who had the privilege of working with Sheila are welcome to come and join us as we pay tribute to our Saint Sheila, and her contribution to our mission of creating a space faring civilization.

The Space Place at Renaissance Academy

Two of the Four 5th Grade Young Astronaut Squadrons

     The Space Place's Young Astronaut and Voyager Clubs are busy every day, Monday thru Friday, from 3:30 - 5:30 P.M. with classes and space missions in the Starship Voyager for our 180 registered cadets.  With the goal of furthering the cause of human space exploration, our outstanding staff led by Bracken Funk, The Space Place Director, work hard at giving our young cadets in grades 3 through 9 both a fun and rewarding educational experience.  Last week we hosted our 5th grade squadrons.  This week our sixth grade teams will be on the bridge of the Voyager training for their 8 month long mission.  

     The Space Place also sponsors the Space Tech class for our 7th - 9th graders during the school day.  Group missions for family and friend groups are flown on Friday and Saturdays.  

The Discovery Space Center at American Heritage School

Alex Debirk is the Discovery Space Center at American Heritage School's 

Director in Addition to his position as High School Physics Teacher

     The Discovery Space Center at American Heritage School started a Voyager Club of their own.  This will be Utah County's third Voyager Club with sister clubs located at the Christa McAuliffe Space Center and The Space Place at Renaissance Academy.  

      The DSC's Voyager Club meets every Wednesday after school at American Heritage School in American Fork.  The club is open to all AHS high school students.  Alex Debirk has the club divided into "guilds" or specialities.  

     1.  Writing Guild.  The Writing Guild learns how to write missions for the school's two simulators, the Discovery and the Galileo. 

     2.  Programming Guild.  The Programming Guild creates starship controls using the Horizon space simulation software. 

     3.  Media Guild. The Media Guild creates 3D computer graphics in Blender for the simulations.

     4.  The Engineering Guild using the school's industrial arts shops to create props and furniture for the simulators.     

Imaginarium Theater

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Did You Know the Christa McAuliffe Space Center has its Own Soundtrack? The Odyssey Has Been a Part of the Space Center for 30 Years. Imaginarium Theater

Through the talents of Greg Hansen we have been enjoying our 2nd official Space Center soundtrack. I realized though that we haven't shared the joy of this fantastic music with our community.

https://greghansen.hearnow.com/christa-mcauliffe-space...

You can hear these impactful tunes using the link above and even purchase your own copy. It is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and it is a subject we care deeply about and want to support those in need. That's why we donate any proceeds we get from sales to our friends at Hope4Utah.

If you know someone who is struggling we encourage you to reach out and connect with them. If you aren't sure how then you can find some resources to help you at https://hopesquad.com/ They are worth it.

James Porter

Director, Christa McAuliffe Space Center

The Odyssey Brand Has Been in the Space Center Fleet for 30 Years This Fall

The Odyssey III at the Christa McAuliffe Space Center

With Her Caring Staff

The sun has set on another birthday for our beloved Odyssey simulators (Odyssey, Odyssey II, and Odyssey III). Her presence in the Space Center's Fleet rounded the corner to the sophisticated and respectable age of 30. We have enjoyed many wonderful flights with her and I know you are just as excited to see what the next 30 years brings. As long as we clean up after the occasional space cowboys.

The Odyssey Over the Years

  

 This picture takes us back to the early 1990's  This is what the Odyssey looked like when it first opened.

I found these ultra cool black Apple computers that I knew had to be in the Space Center's newest ship ISES.   ISES is what I called the Odyssey when it opened.  Dave Wall was the designer and builder of the Odyssey.  He didn't like the name ISES (Inner Space Exploration Ship) and called the ship Seeker.  So, for a year or so, the Odyssey was called either ISES or Seeker, depending on who was talking.

The Entrance to the Odyssey

This disagreement had to be resolved.  People were getting too confused.  Dave and I compromised.  I gave up ISES.  He gave us Seeker (I hated that name) and we both agreed on Odyssey.

Back to the black computers.  Back then you could buy Apple computers in any color you desired, as long as it was white.  Then these black Apple's came on the market and, if you wanted to be cool, you bought one.  I was cool, so I bought several for the Odyssey.

They sat right out there in the open.  These were the days before we hid our computers behind black plastic screens.   

This shot was taken toward the front of the Odyssey.  I couldn't find enough black Apple's, so we had to include a white computer.  It messed up the color scheme but it really didn't matter.  I had a $25,000 grant to build the Odyssey and we had to stay in budget - mismatched computers or not.  

That's a dot matrix printer on the front counter.  It used stacks of perforated paper and made a racket as it printed messages.

The Odyssey II Opened in the Fall of 2013

The Odyssey II Opened in the Fall of 2013

The Odyssey II Opened in the Fall of 2013

The three Odyssey simulators were and still are great ships.  I know many of you had the opportunity to fly in an Odyssey over her thirty years in the fleet.  Just think of all those missions told by all those gifted flight directors......  good times, very good times.  

 

Happy Birthday USS Odyssey!

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