Astronaut’s arrival a blast for students

THEY ARE KNOWN as the “children of Apollo,” baby boomers whose formative years were filled with images of the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo space missions. They were the kids whose dreams included putting on a spacesuit and venturing into a world unknown.

Priest River resident Chris Naccarato was one of those children.

“I remember drinking Tang just like the astronauts and watching the moon walk,” said Naccarato. “My first pencil sharpener was a Mercury capsule pencil sharpener I had in the first grade.”

These days, Naccarato is a fourth-grade teacher at Priest River Elementary School. For the last 10 years he has brought his passion for space adventure into the classroom. On Thursday, the students’ yearlong study of both space and underwater exploration culminated with a visit from Scott Carpenter, one of the original seven Mercury astronauts.

Carpenter knows plenty about both space and submarines. During a leave of absence from NASA in 1965, Carpenter participated in the Navy’s Man in the Sea project, living on the ocean floor for a month conducting deep-sea diving activities at 205 feet below the water surface. That makes him an aquanaut as well as an astronaut.

“Scott was the perfect fit to be our guest,” said Naccarato.

As part of their lesson, the students transformed the classroom into Mission Control. The walls were papered with posters, magazines and newspaper articles chronicling the history of space and underwater exploration.

“Most of these posters are 30 to 40 years old,” said Naccarato.

Naccarato utilized only half of his classroom to give his students the feeling of the cramped quarters an astronaut or aquanaut experiences.

As Carpenter entered the classroom Thursday morning, 25 fourth-grade students dressed in flight suits and serious expressions saluted both Carpenter and Tom Williams, president of the USS Kitty Hawk Veterans Association, who traveled from Utah for the event. The children respectfully thanked the men for serving their country and proceeded with presentations which included submarine simulations, rocket launches and musical performances.

Carpenter praised the children on their performances saying, “You kids have all the military discipline I’ve ever seen. Your command is better than the U.S. Navy when I entered at the age of 17.”

Tremendous support from the communities of both Sandpoint and Priest River made the day possible. With Carpenter’s speaking fee set at $10,000, Naccarato said he was amazed at the generosity of those who helped make it happen. It took only three months to raise the money and gave the children memories that will last a lifetime.

Naccarato said the lessons these children learn are invaluable. He believes it is important to keep generating interest in space exploration, especially after the space shuttle Columbia tragedy.

“We have to keep going and not quit,” he said.

Naccarato reminds his students that members of the older generations have great memories to share and lessons the children can learn.

The students took the whole exercise very seriously and knew their parts well. “I am the telecom person,” said student Ashley Hoisington. “That means telecommunication. I run messages to the office.” She said the whole experience has taught her how to work together with her friends.

Victoria Arredondo agreed. “Working together makes it better,” said the fourth-grader.

For Dillon Harmison, the class’ study of underwater exploration allowed him to get closer to his dream. “When I was a little boy I used to pretend to be on a ship. I always wanted to build a periscope and now I get to use one (during the submarine simulation),” he said.

In keeping with NASA tradition, both Carpenter and Williams gave the children an evaluation of their performance.

“I have no qualms about the youth of America when I see young people like you. Great job,” said Williams.

Carpenter added, “You did a marvelous job. You all got home safely (from the simulation), and that is the true measure of your success.”

Carpenter also commended Naccarato for his commitment to children. “You are doing a marvelous thing with these kids,” said Carpenter. “You are teaching them discipline and patriotism.”

The parents and visitors were also treated to a musical performance from the students. They sang, among other songs, the Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine,” followed by a moving rendition of “Proud to be an American” which was done through sign language rather than spoken words.

Following the event, both Carpenter and Williams presented each child with an award. The children saluted each of the men, shaking their hands upon accepting the award and proudly saying “Thank you, sir.”

In addition to the children’s parents and interested community members, the event was attended by Bonner County Sheriff Elaine Savage and state Rep. George Eskridge. Eskridge presented Carpenter with an award on behalf of Gov. Dirk Kempthorne, thanking Carpenter for his distinguished public service as both a member of NASA and the Navy, as well as providing a service to educating Idaho students with his presence in the Priest River classroom.

Carpenter said he appreciated the recognition, but he turned the attention to the youngsters in Naccarato’s class.

“You are the hope of our nation, and you should be very proud,” said Carpenter.