Eighth-grader is first runner-up in essay contest
Prince of Peace Catholic School, a nationally recognized Blue Ribbon school, announced that eighth-grader Rebecca Zurek was chosen as the first runner-up in the Team America Rocketry Challenge Essay Contest.
The contest was open to students in grades 7-12 nationally who participate in the Team America Rocketry Challenge. Rebecca is the youngest finalist by four years (the other two finalists are seniors in high school).
Prince of Peace Catholic School is proud of Rebecca for committing herself to her passion and for bringing it to others in our community.
In celebration of its 15th anniversary, TARC asked its rocketeers to pen short essays describing why they participate in the TARC program. Answers ranged from education to aspiration, and stories of finding success in failure and learning from teammates emerged as themes. In the end, three essays soared above the rest, one of which was Rebecca's.
"I do TARC because it enables me to express who I am and what I aspire to be in the future," Rebecca said in her essay. "I yearn to build rockets that go into deep space and help better our civilization."
She continued, "Rocketry intrigued me, so I decided to give it a try … I instantly fell in love with the opportunities that lie ahead to explore, design, be challenged, and invent.
"I became more involved and discovered TARC from my local NAR rocket club. There were no teams in my area that I could join, so I decided to start my own. I presented the opportunity to the principal (at my school) and I started a rocket club and TARC team at my school this year.
"This is something completely new for our community, and certainly a new path for 'a girl'."
To read Rebecca's essay in its entirety, visit rocketcontest.org/rebecca-zurek-why-i-do-tarc.
The Team America Rocketry Challenge is a science, technology, math and engineering competition that tasks students with designing, fabricating and launching model rockets.
TARC is organized by the Aerospace Industries Association and the National Association of Rocketry, and sponsored by the Raytheon Company, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Thales USA and 19 additional aerospace industry partners.
To find out more about Prince of Peace Catholic School, visit school.princeofpeacelv.org.
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