HONOLULU (KHON2) — In June, two teens from Hawaii attended and graduated from a NASA challenge in Huntsville, Alabama.
NASA’s U.S. Space and Rocket Center’s Aviation Challenge Mach II hosted 12- to 14-year-old Young Marines. Thirty-six members joined from across the country.
Ryder Simer and Richard Hutter are members of the Pyramid Rock Young Marines from Kaneohe.
The Young Marines is a national non-profit program for boys and girls, aged 8 through high school graduation. The program develops leadership, teamwork and self-discipline in its members.
“Our Young Marines enthusiastically answered the challenge that the NASA camp put before them,” said retired Col. William P. Davis, national executive director and CEO of the Young Marines. “With purpose, creativity and strategic thinking, our Young Marines completed every task assigned to them.”
During the six day program, participants learned about aeronautics, aviation history and teamwork skills to locate and rescue a downed pilot.
Trainees practiced in flight simulators and performed air combat maneuvering training to prepare for mission scenarios.
“Completion of this difficult course is a major accomplishment and a life-changing experience for these Young Marines,” Davis said.