Scott Wiltbank Receiving the Phoenix Microphone from Jon Parker
Attention, prepare for an important announcement. Hear Ye, Hear Ye. Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears. Dominus Jameses Maximus Porterillius decrees that Scott Wiltbank be appointed Set Director of the Starship Phoenix; so let it be written, so let it be done (forgive me blending my histories, it was done for effect).
In a ceremony stretching back to the earliest days of the Space Center, Jon Parker, Director of Simulations at the Christa McAuliffe Space Center, handed the ship's flight director microphone, spittle and all, to the new Set Director. Scott accepted the microphone signaling his acceptance of the calling and his willingness to steer the ship along the course set by the Silver Perry's hard work and firm hand on the rudder.
Scott is an outstanding gentleman, scholar, and good judge of science fiction simulator stories. He is also an award winning Flight Director, having won best FD for the summer camp season. `I did my best to defeat him the summer I worked as a Cassini FD but my best efforts fell short.
Scott first came to my attention back in 2015/2016 as a young black shirt volunteer. At one Honor's Night in July Scott received both his Odyssey Pin from Devin and his Galileo Pin from Erin; an amazing achievement. I was concerned the weight of the pins would rip the shirt right off his back.
You wonder how a young teen could accomplish so much, then I found out. Yes, there is talent present in Scott's small frame, but Scott has one other quality that helped him over the finish line in both simulators, Scott is an excellent kisser upper to the Set Directors. Just look at the homage he paid to Erin at the ceremony.
The current Voyager Club members should take note and follow Scott's example when looking for a Phoenix Pass. Pay homage, laugh at all his jokes (stupid or not), hold the door for him, warm his flight director's chair, and repeatedly tell him that he is the best flight director ever. If you're really brave and willing to risk the wrath of Jon Parker, tell Scott he is a better flight director than the Almighty Jon. It will earn you a pass, but if word gets back to Jon, that Phoenix pass will be your last :) If you doubt me, just look at the picture of Jon handing Scott the Phoenix microphone. Look at Jon's face. Look at the fear in his eyes. Look at Scott's face. Look how confident he appears. Could Jon's position be in jeopardy? Stay tuned for further developments.
Mr. Williamson
From the Troubadour's Archives. February 2008. A Young Tween's Attitude Changes About the Space Center
The original Troubadour Blog, with all the posts stretching back to 2008, is available to everyone by invitation. I've closed it to the general public because of two incorrect copyright warnings that I don't have the energy or time to fight. If you'd like access to the first Troubadour, please send me an email request. SpaceCampUtah@gmail.com
On slow news weeks I find it good to go back to old posts and reread good posts from the past which remind us of our heritage and our mission. The following post comes from February 2008. Please give it a read. For current space center staff and volunteers, it is a reminder of the magic we do day in and day out.
The Right Wing on the Voyager's Bridge.
February 24, 2008
Hello All,
I want to thank our staff and volunteers for another successful week at the Space Center. March is upon us. I want to remind our volunteers and staff that the March Call for Volunteers is posted. Please look over the working schedule and send your requests by email. I’d like to get the working schedule out to everyone by week’s end. March is looking to be a busy month so we will need All Hands on Deck!
I’m trying to put two supervisors on every Voyager and Magellan mission. Our Central School volunteers are filling many positions left open during the week. It seems our older volunteers are having a difficult time getting here on weekdays. I’m guessing the cause is two fold: busy schedules and the ever rising cost of gasoline. Our local Central School volunteers all live within walking distance of the Space Center. They enjoy working but are young and need supervision. Two supervisors on the larger simulators will help provide them with the supervision and training they require to become better volunteers.
You’ll notice an increase in the number of schools coming for after school field trips. March, April and May are full of school’s arriving at 2:00 P.M. and leaving at 6:00 P.M. They are sending two classes each day. This means an addition ‘full’ field trip of classes, Starlabs, and missions. Our daytime staff will need your full support. It isn’t easy teaching four of everything each day. The repetition can be mind numbing. I’m confident we will do exceptionally well because we have high standards and an awesome staff who always do their best to give our visitors the best field trip in Utah. Hats off to Sheila, Aleta, Lorraine, Metta, Megan, Stacy, Bracken, Jordan, Jon P., Brooklyn, Christine, Marc, Kim, and all the Central School 5th and 6th grade volunteers.
I’m reminded of something I heard from a young lady last week. A sixth grade class was finishing their training on the Voyager Bridge. The Right Wing Flight Officer was looking around the Bridge impatiently. She had mastered the look of a bored teenager - not bad for a 12 year old. She raised her hand.
“Is this all we’re going to do is sit here?” she asked. “I’m getting bored.”
“Yes, all you’re going to do is sit here so I’ll guess your going to be bored.” I answered. I wanted to say much more. You can’t imagine the will power required not to say more. The words were at the tip of my tongue already formed, fueled, and waiting for launch. A couple consonants and a vowel hissed out between my clenched teeth but quickly retracted and swallowed.
Her face collapsed into a production of distortions carefully rehearsed to convey extreme frustration at not being entertained. I could tell she needed something. My guess was her ipod - the pacifier of a new generation. This new generation goes from the pacifier in the mouth to headphones into the ears. I see ‘the young’ everywhere with wires running from their belts to their ears. Their brains seem to need constant noise and entertainment. The sounds of human voices and nature are no longer satisfying.
Some teens have such a distant look on their faces it makes me wonder what they are listening to. I can only guess; “Breath in and Breath out. Walk. Stop. Breath in and Breath out. Walk. Stop. Breath in and breath out. Walk Stop. Chew gum. Breath in and Breath out. Walk Stop. Chew Gum.”
I turned from the young lady and continued to work with the other children that had real questions. In the back of my head I wondered what her opinion would be of the mission.
I started the mission. Her face was square in the center of one of my TV monitor. I watched her reactions as the mission progressed. Tex’s speech did nothing for her. Her head rested on her hand. Her elbow was firmly planted on the desk. Her eyes were fixed upon the black ceiling. I wondered if she was praying for deliverance. Soon I was lost in the mission and lost interest in tracking her reactions. At the end of the mission I remembered to look at her again.
“That was awesome!” I heard her telling her friend from across the room.
“Did you see...........? I saved the ship by............ My heart was beating so fast.........” She went on and on as she left the bridge. I sat back in my chair and began shutting off equipment. You know you’ve done a good job when you can change a teenagers opinion from “This is stupid” to “This was awesome!” So..... several days late and in the quiet of my own home I stand and take a bow to the four walls of my living room. I’ve conquered a teacher’s Mount Everest.
Another week starts. Hundreds of kids are getting ready for the ultimate field trip. If you are one of those kids I want you to know that we are ready for you. We’ve been here 17 years training and preparing for you - just you. My thanks to the students and teachers that visit us weekly. My thanks to a great staff and volunteers that make the Space Center the magical place it is.
Ad Astra!
Mr. Williamson
Michael W., is the Falcon's Newest Flight Director at the Christa McAuliffe Space Center
We call him Mikey, I thought I'd include that for those who only know him as Mikey :) Mikey is a diligent worker and once he set him mind on becoming a Falcon flight director there was no stopping him. I'm happy to report that Mikey's hard work and preserving paid off. Last week he was awarded his Navy Blues and joined the few, the proud, the chosen. He is in the Flight Director's Guild.
With the Navy Blues in hand, Mikey stood and solemnly spoke the Flight Director's Pledge.
"I pledge to honor the training and craftsmanship of the flight directors who trained me. I pledge to set an example of professionalism to my staff, volunteers, and crew. I promise to lead and guide my crews by adhering to the missions' goals and objectives. I promise to honor the pioneering spirit of the first ship Voyager by continuing to learn and improve upon my craft. These things I will do until I lay my microphone down."
After taking the oath, new Flight Directors are given a membership card and the key to the Space Center's Executive Washroom.
Receiving a key is the ultimate goal of every space center volunteer and staff. There is a reason many of you don't know about this. When you've earned it, it will be made known to you. And don't go bothering the flight directors about its location. They'll only act stupid and say they there is no such place and they don't know what you're talking about. They may even try besmirching my good name and tell you I embellish the truth and spread false information here in the blog! Lies I tell you, All Lies.
Congratulations Mikey on this goal met and one item off your bucket list.
With Mikey gone, the Voyager Club at the Christa McAuliffe Space Center is without its president. Voyager Club leadership positions are only for those in the 'volunteer' category. Once receiving a paycheck, Voyager Club leaders must resign. This leaves an opening in the club presidency which will be filled very soon. Watch for more news on the matter in upcoming posts.
Imaginarium Theater
The Week's Best Videos From Around the World Edited for a Gentler Audience
