Opinion
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VA economy showing strength
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T he Volume 39, Number 34
News
Rochester House receives grant page 8
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NASA Mission to Mars camp teaches Shafter skills for life on Earth Linda Farneth How many kids come back to school from summer vacation saying they planned a trip to Mars? Well in Virginia roughly 85 kids can. Colonial Beach High School senior Racheal Shafter is one of those few students who spent an intensive week at NASA Langley over the summer learning to plan a mission to Mars. It began last year when Shafter, was one of two students selected from Colonial Beach to participate in the Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars (VASTS) program. VASTS is an interactive on-line course that teaches STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. VASTS immerses student in NASA-related research through interaction with scientists, engineers and technologists. Students who successfully complete the training were eligible for a seven-day residential summer academy at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA. Shafter wants to pursue a career planetary geology. “Astronomy has always been one of my favorite things since I was young,” she said. “It’s a good step for me, wanting to be an astronomer. I was really excited about that.” Shafter, who has a signed letter by Buzz Aldrin, said the camp expanded her interests. “I was not really into engineering before but this course has piqued my interest,” she said. After a three-hour drive to Christopher Newport University, Shafter was welcomed and given a temporary NASA Langley lanyard, identifying her role as a Site Selection Specialist for the week. She
received a NASA backpack and two polo shirts. However the knowledge and skills Shafter gained went beyond that of learning her job as a Site Selection Specialist. She gained skills to help plan a mission to Mars. Her job entailed selecting a landing site for the Mars rover that would allow the craft to complete all of its given tasks and gather as much data as the mission set out to collect. “To fulfill my job, I had to have an understanding of the geology and surface conditions that my team proposed for landing, habitation, or exploration in support of science goals and objectives. I was responsible for ensuring that the site discussed and selected, met the requirements for my team and could integrate with other teams requirements and capabilities” Shafter said. However apart from the task at hand, Shafter said she learned numerous skills that she will carry on throughout her lifetime. “I was out of my comfort zone.” she said. “I learned that stepping out of your comfort zone isn’t so bad after all. It was very nerve racking but I learned to rely on myself a lot more and with that came a lot more self confidence.” Shafter made friends with her teammates right away, but she had to learn so much about communicating. The students had meal breaks but had to work an average of 16 to 17 hours a day. “I got an average of 3 hours of sleep each night. I went to sleep past midnight every night and had to get up at five and be ready by six every [morning],” she said. After many hours of missiondesign work, Shafter said the group
Photo by Linda Farneth
Colonial Beach High School senior Racheal Shafter has just completed an intensive study at NASA Langley through the Virginia Aeorospace Science and Technology Scholars program. The program emphasizes STEM - Science, Technology and Mathematics - courses and opens the eyes of students to careers in science-related industries. had to turn in work for review on a daily basis. Throughout the day, each aspect of her work required her to confer with other teammates who were working on other aspects of the
mission. “Communication was the key to getting though the design process properly and efficiently,” Shafter said. “Time management was also
another very important skill that was developed.” If the geology of the landing site didn’t comply with the tasks set out by others in the mission she had to
work to find a solution. “I gained more ability to compromise and to See NASA, page 8
Colonial Beach residents, visitors celebrate 36th annual Rod Run
Photos by Linda Farneth
Colonial Beach celebrated its 36th Annual Rod Run to the Beach on Aug. 15. Classical Hot Rod owners got together for a day of fun on Town Hill with music, food and a little showing off. The is ponsored by and benefits the Colonial Beach Education Foundation. The foundation was formed 30 years ago by Dr. Don Warner, who was the superintendent of the Colonial Beach Public Schools.
Work begins on Hawthorne - First phase of long-term refurbishment plan Linda Farneth The Colonial Beach Revitalization Management Team has decided to focus its first revitalization efforts on Hawthorne Street. At the intersection of Hawthorne Street and Washington Avenue, raised-brick facade crosswalks will form a square all the way around the intersection. The center features a decorative ground cover that will accent the brick walkways. “The Revitalization Management Team is thrilled to finally see visible
signs of their hard work,” Town Manager Val Foulds said. “Some of our business owners in the district and the architect team have been consulting and sharing ideas. This means that the Facade Committee is gearing up to review facade applications soon. This is all quite exciting.” Work began last week on the Hawthorne/Washington intersection and was expected to be complete by Aug. 14. However, Foulds explained to the Colonial Beach Town Council, at its regular August meeting, that the
pavement on part of the intersection was far more damaged than originally thought. It had to be cut and repaved before the stamped brick was installed. Mayor Mike Ham clarified that the asphalt treatment must cure and settle before another layer can be added. Foulds said, “Council and staff members who are not directly involved in the grant implementation can’t help but express their pleasure that the project is visibly getting underway. The Revitalization Manage-
“ This is all quite exciting.” — Val Foulds, CB Town Manager ment Team is doing a great job.” The plans call for the end of Hawthorne Street to be transformed into a pedestrian plaza. From Taylor Street to Beach Avenue, the area will be closed to motor vehicles. This
will be the pedestrian gateway to the boardwalk and should compliment the pedestrian plaza planned for the end of Colonial Avenue where it meets the boardwalk. Beach Avenue will still provide waterfront parking but will have a turn-around located near the Municipal Pier. Traffic will enter from one side of the cannon and leave from the other, where Beach Avenue meets Irving Avenue. This work is slated to begin in the fall after the tourist season ends in order to avoid confusion during
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upcoming events, Foulds said. Decorative lights will line Hawthorne and street furniture will be placed on Hawthorne and the boardwalk. The current work on Hawthorne is being funded out of a $750,000 revitalization grant from the . the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.