Below are some thoughts from some team members about their past experience in the Russell Space Program. The commenters range from those who just recently completed the program to many who were in the program many years ago and are now adults.
"I will tell you the truth. The Space Team is not just about sitting in a chair and talking on the loop. It was rough and hard at the beginning, but we kept practicing and working together. Mostly we quit thinking about ourselves and thinking more about each other."
"Sometimes I wanted to quit but I dug deep and told myself, 'Other people have done this and you can too.' This is really hard work, but that is why we have so much pride in what we do."
"I learned that you're going to make mistakes sometimes, but that you have to learn from them and get better. You always work to make it better and better."
"Sometimes I was nervous. Sometimes I was even scared, but I stuck with it. Now I know that I can do anything. This has been the greatest thing ever in my life."
"I learned about respect, how to respect others and how to respect myself."
"I learned that nothing is impossible."
"I have grown up a lot on this team."
"You will have many obstacles in your life, but you do not need to quit. I learned that on Space Team."
"This is very complicated. You cannot do it alone and you cannot do it if you will not make big sacrifices. I have never been more proud of anything in my life than being on this team."
"This team means something because it is hard. We earned this. No one gave it to us."
"We learned to work together. If we work together and take our time, we can do anything. We proved that to each other."
"Sometimes disappointment is part of being on the team, and disappointments are part of life too. We remembered that we are here to succeed together and that was what was important. That is why succeeded."
"I learned that it is not enough to just memorize things. You have to understand them too."
"The Space Team taught me to keep my confidence even when I make mistakes. It has taught me how to control my pride and to show others who I am."
"Before I was in Space Team I got into lots of trouble. On the team I had to step up my game or I'd be gone, so I paid attention and studied more. It made me a better person and a better teammate."
"I have learned responsibility, patience, diligence, and perserverance. These things will help me out for the rest of my life."
"I now have a higher standard for myself."
"Russell Space Program was a great experience for me as a young child. This program allows young minds to engage in leadership opportunities, gain critical thinking skills, and allow individuals to become part of an exclusive team in the community. This program was one of the most memorable experiences of my childhood."
"The Russell Space program ignited (no pun intended) my interest in science and fueled my need to push myself to achieve more rather than settle for a life of mediocrity. My fondest memories were from being a member of the Russell Space team. It taught me the importance of responsibility, drive, and teamwork, and I am very lucky to have been a part of such a great program."
"To this day, I am very proud to have participated in the STS-7 mission. I cannot say enough about how it trained me for experiences throughout my academic career to this point. Godspeed Russell Space Team!"
"It was a positive character building experience that I will never forget. It shaped my work today in how I work with teachers and young children."
"Space Team was such a good way of getting kids together to work hard as a team and individually, instill a sense of morals and responsibility, learn how to make friends, accomplish something awesome together, and create memories. I benefited in every way possible from this program."
"Absolute best experience of my childhood!"
"The Russell Space program was definitely my favorite school experience from elementary to high school. I have wonderful memories from that time and have kept in touch with many of my classmates from the program. I still talk about it with my family, including my own son who is now elementary school age. I would love for him to participate in a program like this! It taught me about teamwork, accountability, and gave me a passion for learning, especially science and space."
"The Russell Space Program was a great experience, and motivating factor for many students at Russell. This program is certainly a unique and valuable addition to the school and should be preserved indefinitely."
"Space Team was awesome. I still tell people about it. I think it was a lot of hard work that carried on into my later education years where I'm still just as determined to succeed; also, I'm really good at remembering acronyms now. Thanks for that :)."
"It was incredible. Looking back, I sincerely appreciate Chris Laster's infectious curiosity about anything science-related, and all the fun experiments and programs-the STS mission but many more--he introduced to his class. That enthusiasm carried me through middle and high school science courses. Also, I made sure to get down to Florida to see the final shuttle mission!"
"When I think back to the program I remember it gave me something to take part in. I actually felt like a teammate and allowed me to have ownership. The emotions I felt with the team molded my desire to continue to work in situations where I'd feel a part of something and successful. The program also fostered leadership and cultivated higher level skills through the unique simulation."
"Space Team was the best time in my life and it allowed me to learn on advance level! I appreciated everything it had to offer and it's an amazing program for ever student to have a chance to experience. It's a one of a kind feeling that will never leave my memory."
"You pushed us and taught us that things don't get handed to you. You earn them."
"Awesome program and instructor of course!!! It was a fun experience that built lots of memories. When I think back to that time I feel like it built maturity for anyone and everyone that participated."
"Russel space team was one of the best experiences I ever had in my life. The team and the teachers had a big impact on what I am today. I would probably never forget my STS mission, it was my first experience being famous."
"Space Team was a milestone that so many students looked forward to for many years at Russell. It was exciting to see the program's progress from when I began at Russell in Kindergarten, to ultimately being a part of the first mission to use the Intrepid simulator. Space Team was a unique opportunity that only a select few have shared in together. It was definitely a positive experience."
"Thank you Mr. Laster and the staff and parents involved in creating a program that exposed us to lifelong lessons."