Proper education can help youths soar to new heights, astronaut says
By CHRIS GRENZ
The Capital-Journal John Bennett Herrington, who is the first American Indian NASA astronaut, used to sit in a cardboard box when he was 8 years old and dream about blasting off into outer space. At that age, he never worried his grades could keep him grounded, but they almost did. Herrington, who is a U.S. Navy lieutenant commander, is a mission specialist for National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The 40-year-old astronaut was the featured speaker during the seventh annual Kansas Association for Native American Education's awards banquet luncheon Tuesday. Herrington became the first American Indian astronaut to join NASA in April 1996. He said during a press conference before Tuesday's luncheon that he he owes his success in part to some special mentors who helped him get his life back on course. "There was a part of my life where I had a real problem with education," he said. He admitted flunking out of college with a 1.72 grade point average. A high percentage of American Indian students struggle with their first year of college, Herrington said, and he was no exception. Herrington is of Chickasaw Indian Nation heritage. While out of school, Herrington tutored a retired Navy fighter pilot in math. The man, who Herrington said became a mentor to him, advised him to enlist. Another friend and mentor he met through his hobby of rock climbing advised him to return to school. He did both. Herrington earned a degree in applied mathematics in 1983 and a master of science degree in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in 1995. He now has logged more than 2,300 flight hours in 30 different types of aircraft. "I think a lot of people need to realize that you can fall down, but you have to get back up and keep running," he said. He ended up following advice he now shares with young American Indians: "You just have to keep trying." Herrington also had some advice for the teachers at Tuesday's conference. When educating young people in the classroom, teachers should get out of the books, he said."A lot of kids -- Native American kids especially -- learn from that physical contact," he said. "You need to see it in practice." Herrington hasn't yet been on a NASA mission and isn't currently scheduled for one. He hopes to go up within the next three years, possibly to help construct the international space station, he said. Copyright 1999 The Topeka Capital-Journal |
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