‘Awesome’ Rocketeers Blast Off At St. Paschal’s
On a sunny June day, you almost have to be a rocket scientist to keep the attention of fifth- and sixth-graders.
Fortunately, Kevin Schultz, teacher at St. Paschal’s School, knows enough about science and rockets that, with poetic license, one could call him a rocket scientist. Plus, his students all had rockets. Monday was launch day for the 12 budding rocketeers in Schultz’ class.
Five, four, three, two, one, blastoff. It only took one flashy, ooh-aah launch to change antsy kids into rapt kids. Never mind that the first rocket and parachute landed in the maple tree in a neighboring yard just south of St. Paschal’s.
The sight was enough to elicit the mantra of ‘90s youth: “Dude, that was awesome.”
The second rocket arced, climbed, peaked - and drifted the same direction, swinging on a breath of wind. Over the fence, again.
“By the time we’re done, they’re going to have 13 rockets in their yard,” one girl predicted.
Schultz solved the problem though, by tinkering with the angle of the launcher. Shanon Davis not only launched her rocket, but managed to pluck it from the air, simple as catching a pop fly.
By this time, every student at St. Paschal’s was out on the playground watching. The rockets were topping out at 300 to 500 feet, Schultz estimated.
The students built their rockets along with studying galaxies. The class learned about planets, nebulas, black holes and Robert Goddard, one of the American pioneers of rocketry. Each student built his or her own craft, assembling, cutting, sanding, fitting and painting.
Back at the launch pad, the spectators joined in the countdowns. No, actually they took over the countdown.
“Listen up. If you want to count with us you are welcome to. But listen to this group, because we’re the official count down,” Schultz said. Order restored, rocket No. 8 went up.
And up, up, up. And down. Just where it was supposed to.
“Boy, could there have been anything more perfect!” said Schultz.
Working for a good cause
A class of sixth grade students at East Valley Middle School raised 28,684 pennies this year.
The students in Gloria Melnikoff’s class decided the money should go to two charities, the Wishing Star Foundation and Big Brothers and Sisters of Spokane County.
Flutist’s finale
Marisa Neste, graduate of University High School, will give her senior recital in flute this Saturday.
Neste, who has studied flute for eight years, will perform at 7 p.m. at the Westminster Congregational Church, 411 S. Washington.
Leadership at work
Three Spokane Valley students participated in this year’s Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Seminar. They were Erin Lally of East Valley High School, Emily Williams of West Valley High School and Jeffery Wineinger of University.
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MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: SO LONG FOR NOW This is the final Education notebook for the 1996-97 school year. The Valley Voice will bring you more news of interesting classroom activities and people when school is back in session next September.