Mt. Juliet Students Watch As One Of Their Own Enters Space

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STS-129 pilot Barry Wilmore

By Amanda Hara

MT. JULIET, Tenn. - A Tennessee town watched with special interest as NASA's last shuttle to the International Space Station took off Monday, launching Mt. Juliet High alumnus Barry Wilmore into space.

High School physics is light years away from the time Shelley Choudhury was in fourth grade, studying simpler things.

"All I knew when I was little was that Neptune was my favorite because it was the prettiest in my opinion,” said Choudhury.

The Mt. Juliet junior's knowledge on outer space was broadened when she watched with hundreds of other fellow students as one of her own blasted into space.

"Everyone's just thrilled this is happening, that we have someone from Mt. Juliet – little old Mt. Juliet – in space,” said Choudhury.

Barry Wilmore, age 46, was building momentum since his days at Mt. Juliet High School. His 1981 senior yearbook tells the story of a motivated kid who went on to earn two masters degrees and fly for the Navy. It's no wonder NASA snatched him up and sent him to space.

The only thing better than watching the Mt. Juliet alumnus going to space is talking to him live while he's actually there. On November 22, Choudhury and several other select students will get the chance.

Choudhury won the opportunity through a question contest with Tennessee Tech. Her question, "If your communication devices failed in space what would you do about that – cause that's going to be a major issue."

Choudhury said she was looking forward to speaking with Wilmore while he orbits in space.

"All I will be thinking about is, ‘I never thought I would be here asking an astronaut a question while they're in space!’ You never would dream of that and it's so cool that I get the opportunity,” she said.

The Shuttle Atlantis’ will deliver equipment to the International Space Station and return one of its crew members to Earth.

Wilmore invited several of his old high school coaches to watch the lift-off in Florida. He also took a Mt. Juliet High School jersey to space. When his mission is complete, the jersey will be displayed at the school.

Email: ahara@newschannel5.com