Students were expecting to see Mayor Tommy Battle when Rena Anderson, the school district's director of community engagement, asked why they were all gathered in the cafeteria. When they found out they would be going to Space Camp the room erupted in cheer.
The trip to Space Camp is an endowment from 's late leader Elmer Hargis. Hagris, who died in 2010, left a fund with the Elks Lodge to benefit children who may not otherwise have the opportunity to go to Space Camp. Elks Lodge members presented a ,000 check to school officials during the surprise announcement.
Dr. Deborah Barnhart, CEO and executive director of the U.S. Space Rocket Center, gave students instructions to be especially diligent in their classrooms in preparation for their newly assigned mission.
"You are special. You are now astronaut trainees and coming to Space Camp will change your life forever," Barnhart said before fielding questions from the inquisitive group.
One boy asked about getting a chance to sit in the 1/6th gravity chair while another asked if he would grow muscles after visiting camp.
"I think you better build your muscles before you get to Space Camp," she said.
Principal Jennifer Douthit had to keep the surprise a secret for about a month but said withholding the information for that long was well worth seeing the children's faces beam with excitement.
"Every student's life will be impacted by this experience," Douthit said.
Students will spend the last week of school at Space Camp in May.
RT : So excited for the Martin Luther King, Jr. ES 5th graders who are going to Space Camp for week, paid for by the Elks Lodge!!!
-- SpaceCampUSA (@SpaceCampUSA)