SARASOTA – Sarasota Military Academy Students reached for the stars on Wednesday in the first nationwide oath of enlistment ceremony live from the International Space Station. The charter school was one of the 130 locations across the country who participated to enlist more than 850 students.
U.S. Army Colonel and NASA Astronaut Andrew Morgan administered the live ceremony from space. The first-ever nationwide oath of enlistment is the result of a partnership between NASA and Space Center Houston and U.S. Army Recruiting Command.
After taking the oath, Colonel Morgan conducted a question and answer session of questions submitted by students across the country. SMA’s very own Shelby Young was one of the 15 students whose question was chosen to be answered.
“It was pretty cool, knowing that someone up in space got to hear and answer my question,” said SMA Cadet, Shelby Young.
Staff Sergeant, Antwon Frager says it was a really fun experience and he was glad to see that everyone enjoyed it.
“It’s cool because he’s still currently in the army, and he’s also an astronaut,” said Frager. “It gives these kids who joined the army, like myself, back six years ago that maybe I can be an astronaut if I go to school and finish my degree and stay in good standards for the army. It’s kind of like a basketball dream for soldiers.”
The oath of enlistment was also live-streamed via Nasa TV.
