Former NASA Astronaut Encourages Students to Dream Big
An inspiring event that hosted a crowd of nearly 800
Mar. 29, 2017 -- José Hernández, the son of migrant farm workers who went on to become
a NASA astronaut, encouraged hundreds of local high school and college students to
dream big Tuesday at Allan Hancock College. The college co-sponsored the event. “Launching
the Next Generation,” with the Multilingual and Migrant Education Programs of the
Santa Maria Joint Union High School District.
Hernández addressed a crowd of nearly 800 people that included students from schools in Santa Maria, Lompoc, Guadalupe and Nipomo. He shared his story of growing up as the youngest of four children working alongside his parents in the fields throughout California. He went on to graduate high school, earn a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Pacific, and receive a master’s degree in electrical engineering from UC Santa Barbara.
“Role models are important, and they are more effective if you speak and look like them,” said Hernández. “They heard my background and heard I was just like them. I want to empower them to believe anything is possible. I’m here preaching the American dream.”
He recalled watching the Apollo 17 mission on television with his family when he was 10 years old. It was at that moment he realized his dream -- to head to space and become an astronaut. After sharing his dream with his father, his dad outlined a five-step recipe for success, one that still resonates with Hernández today.
“He said to decide what you want to be in life; recognize how far you are from reaching your goal; draw yourself a road map from where you are now to where you want to go; get an education; and lastly, apply the effort you put into the working in the fields into following your dreams,” recalled Hernández .
Since then, Hernández has added a sixth ingredient to his father’s recipe to success – perseverance. Hernández applied 11 times to join NASA’s astronaut program, and was accepted on his 12th attempt. He reminded students not to be discouraged by setbacks.
“Each time I was turned down, I did something to make myself a better candidate for the next time,” said Hernández. “I became a pilot. I took up scuba diving. I volunteered for a work assignment in Russia. A few years later, I was headed to space. The point is, I didn’t give up.”
Hernández, who was not fluent in English until he was 12, became a crew member of the STS-Discovery, NASA’s 128th shuttle mission responsible for helping finish construction of the International Space Station (ISS) in 2009. While in space, Hernández oversaw the transfer of more than 18,000 pounds of equipment between the shuttle and the ISS with the assistance of robotics operations.
“I hope what you got out of this is it is okay to dream big,” said Hernández at the conclusion of his presentation. “If you follow the recipe to success, you too can reach for the stars.”
Hancock student Liz Pompa said the presentation inspired her to pursue her dream of becoming an academic counselor in order to help others succeed.
“I come from a Mexican family, just like him,” Pompa said. “If he can achieve his dream, so can I. This really encouraged me to dream big, and it makes me more motivated to challenge myself and make a difference in my community.”
Going into the event, college administrators identified their goal was to inspire students to continue their education and reach for the stars. After Hernández’s presentation, they felt they accomplished their mission.
“Allan Hancock College is committed to changing the odds for students and the community,” said Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D. “Events like this help to show how education opens doors and creates opportunities specially in STEM fields – science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Today, we have somebody who is living proof of how you can change the odds.”
- AHC -
