Ronald E. McNair Junior High School celebrated the life and legacy the late Dr. Ronald E. McNair Thursday with its annual remembrance program.
The program at REMJH was part of the annual district wide celebration of Dr. McNair’s life. The Challenger tragedy was incorporated into lessons at all schools.
In 1984 Dr. McNair served as a crew member aboard the space shuttle Challenger, where he was responsible for operation of the remote manipulator arm. Two years later he was one of seven members selected for the second Challenger flight, scheduled for January 28, 1986. Shortly after launch, 73 seconds after take-off, the Challenger exploded, killing the seven crew members aboard.
Gloria Tisdale, president of the Ron McNair Committee, was the guest speaker for REMJH’s program. Ms. Tisdale, a classmate of Dr. McNair, reminded students that Dr. McNair didn’t allow circumstances to interfere with chasing his dreams. “It doesn’t matter what type of situation you are in,” she said, “you can go on to realize your dreams.”
Ms. Tisdale said Dr. McNair was no different from his classmates or the students who currently attend the school that bears his name. “He was just like use,” she said. “He had special abilities; we all saw that, but we never knew he would become an astronaut.”
The program also included a performance by the REMJH Chorus and Show Choir and eighth-grade saxophonists Jerrell Nesbitt and Daimen Wilson with band director Cliff Gardner. Student Hannah Spurrell also read Success, a poem by Bessie Anderson Stanley. In addition, the school announced the school level Living Museum Contest winners.
Watch the Georgia On My Mind sax duet by clicking here.