This year, McDonnell Elementary School celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with a truly inspiring assembly featuring two remarkable guest speakers from NASA. The event was filled with excitement as students, teachers, and staff gathered to hear the personal stories and achievements of Rocio Garcia and Carlos Gomez—both of whom have overcome challenges to reach their dreams in the fields of science and space exploration.
Rocio Garcia: From Mexico to the Moon
Our first guest, Rocio Garcia, is the Multi-Purpose Habitat (MPH) Delivery Service Integration Lead at NASA. She plays a critical role in ensuring the safe delivery of the MPH to the moon, working in collaboration with the Italian Space Agency. Born in Mexico, Rocio shared her journey of overcoming the language barrier in her new country, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and determination. Her story resonated with many of our students, especially those facing similar challenges as English language learners.
Rocio captivated the audience with her enthusiasm and dedication to her work at NASA, inspiring our students to dream big. She encouraged them to pursue their passions, reminding them that obstacles can be overcome with hard work and a love for what they do.
Carlos Gomez: A Journey from El Salvador to NASA
Our second guest speaker, Carlos Gomez, shared his remarkable journey as a first-generation college graduate and a thermal engineer at NASA. His family immigrated from El Salvador, and he spoke candidly about the challenges of growing up in poverty. Carlos’s story of overcoming adversity and striving for excellence provided our students with a powerful example of the impact of education and persistence.
Carlos highlighted the importance of setting goals, working hard, and believing in oneself. He emphasized that no matter where you come from, with determination and dedication, anything is possible. His words were a source of inspiration, motivating students to consider their own potential and the endless opportunities available to them.
Empowering Our Students to Reach for the Stars
The assembly was a memorable and empowering experience for everyone at McDonnell Elementary School. Both Rocio Garcia and Carlos Gomez offered messages of hope, resilience, and the power of education. Their stories of triumph over language barriers, economic hardships, and cultural challenges resonated deeply with our students, many of whom could see themselves reflected in the speakers’ experiences.
We are incredibly grateful to Rocio and Carlos for taking the time to share their journeys with us. Their stories serve as a reminder that regardless of the challenges one may face, success is achievable with hard work, determination, and a passion for what you do. This assembly was not only a celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month but also an opportunity to encourage our students to aim high and pursue their dreams—wherever they may lead.
As we continue to honor and celebrate the diverse cultures within our community, we hope that the lessons and inspiration from this event will stay with our students as they reach for the stars, just like our remarkable guest speakers from NASA.