Sam Rayburn High School – Pasadena, TX
Karen (teacher): Mrs. Karen Stocco has been teaching for more than 18
years both in the middle school and the high school. During her tenure
as instructor, she has won the Pasadena ISD Red Apple Award for
outstanding teaching, the Chemicals and the Environment Award for
Science Teaching, the Texas Earth Science Teacher of the Year 97-98, and
several grants, including the GTE/GIFT grant. NASA has played a part in
her life for many years. She has done part-time curriculum writing for
the ARES/JSC group since 1993. Mrs. Stocco also helps sponsor the FIRST
Robotics team for Pasadena ISD.
Jenica (student):
My name is Jenica. I am 17 years old and have pretty much grown up
in Texas. But, in my junior year, 2nd semester, I moved up to Oklahoma for
the remainder of the school year. I enjoyed my time there and learned a lot
but also realized that you can miss Pasadena, Texas.
I have one brother who is 13 and I live with my mother. I don't have a job
at the moment just because I don't have a vehicle to get myself around
easily. I enjoy music, and photography is something that I am really
interested in. I like to read novels and write poetry. In school, I have two
classes where I am an assistant, English 4, Economics, and Business
Communications.
Athena has brought many new and different outlooks on what I thought was
just 'science stuff' and I have been able to interact and become more
outgoing with what I know and learn. I love being able to tell children and
adults about Mars and the rovers, and watch them as they indulge in the
activities and ask infinite questions about what could happen.
Laura (student): I am 17 and a
junior at Sam Rayburn High School in Pasadena, Texas. I'm currently
involved in Thespian Society and am an Astronomy student. I had
involvement in Golf and Swimming in the past. I would like to major in
engineering. I plan to be on the Robotics team, participate in SADD
(Students Against Destructive Decisions), and continue with Thespian
Society.
