Sky isn't the limit-Herrington

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It's fitting that Commander John Herrington, the first Native American in space, is a member of the board of directors of the American Indian Science & Engineering Society (AISES). When Herrington speaks to Native American children and youth, he tells them that if they give their best effort, anything is possible. And that's the message AISES has been working to get out since 1977.

AISES is a non-profit organization that works across the United States to build a bridge between science and technology and traditional Native values. The organization provides opportunities for American Indian and Native Alaskan students to pursue studies and careers in science, engineering, and technology-based areas, offering them cultural, academic and financial support.

Recently, AISES organized an essay contest on the topic "If I were to go into space with John Herrington" and 13 students in grades 5 to 12 were selected from among those entering the contest to travel to the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida to watch as the space shuttle with Herrington on board was launched.

Unfortunately, the launch the students traveled to see was postponed. But while they didn't get to see the actual launch, they did get a chance to take a tour of the Kennedy Space Centre, and watch an IMAX film about an astronaut's life in space.

Despite the disappointment of missing the launch, the experience still had an impact on the students involved, explained Grace Boyne, K-12 department director for AISES.

"I know one of the reactions we had was from one of the students named Kyle Cadotte, and he said, 'Well, John Herrington's going into space makes me realize that I can go beyond my boundaries, and that I can look to see beyond my reservation, to see that I can become an astronaut like he can, or anything else that I want to be.' And I think that's probably expanded their horizons and made them understand that there are opportunities out there. They just have to work for it," she said.