| Astronaut Dr. Bernard A. Harris Jr., the first | | | | then said they would hear the words science, |
| African-American to walk in space spoke at at Lincoln | | | | technology, engineering and mathematics as many as |
| High School yesterday to inspire and encourage | | | | 30 times before he left the building, |
| students to learn science, technology, engineering and | | | | Students listened. Meloreen Zareian, from Innovation, |
| mathematics. The astronaut said the tour’s focus | | | | left the theater saying she wanted to go to space |
| is to inspire young students to get involved in the | | | | like Harris. Joshua Thomas, from the same school, |
| sciences and go for their dreams. For San Diego | | | | said he had been inspired. |
| Schools, the tour drew about 630 students from | | | | “This makes me want to achieve big goals,” |
| three local middle schools. | | | | Thomas said. “And big things in life.” |
| “I call it my new mission,” Harris said. “It | | | | Before they left, however, Harris challenged them. |
| is my terrestrial mission … to ensure that any | | | | “You were born to do something special,” |
| individual, if they choose to, can fulfill their | | | | said Harris. “Guess what? Only you are the one |
| dream.” | | | | who can figure out what that special is … You have |
| Students from Millennial Tech Middle School, | | | | to make the decision to choose to achieve.” |
| Innovation Middle School and Memorial Preparatory | | | | Principals from the three middle schools called the |
| School marched into the theater at Abraham Lincoln | | | | event a success. “It’s empowering,” said |
| High School to hip-hop music. They heard other | | | | Millennial Tech Middle School Principal Helen Griffith. |
| success stories before Harris walked onto the stage | | | | “For our students to see someone of color, who |
| wearing a NASA astronaut flight suit and told them | | | | looks like them, who has accomplished such a great |
| they could do anything if they put their mind to it. He | | | | feat … It motivates them to do their best. |