Astronaut Scott Kelly meets Coeur d'Alene students

On Thursday morning, retired astronaut and U.S. Navy Capt. Scott Kelly asked Coeur d’Alene students one question: “What do you think is the best part of being an astronaut?”

Students made their guesses. Was it floating in zero gravity? Seeing all the stars and planets? Kelly said those were good, but none of them were the best part.

“The best part about being an astronaut was that it wasn’t easy,” he said. “If it was easy, everyone would do it.”

A total of 405 middle school and high school students from across the Coeur d’Alene district packed the auditorium at Coeur d’Alene High School to hear Kelly answer their questions about space travel. Students submitted questions about day-to-day life on the International Space Station, hazards of outer space and the future of space exploration.

“Him talking about his relationship with his crewmates really interested me, and also the struggles of maintaining structure inside the spacecraft and the schedule,” said Lake City High School student Layla Moody. “I think from this I definitely learned to challenge myself more.”

Coeur d’Alene Public Schools partnered with the Idaho Humanities Council to bring Kelly to Coeur d’Alene High School. Associate Director Johanna Bringhurst said the Idaho Humanities Council chose Kelly for its 20th annual North Idaho Distinguished Humanities Lecture because of his recent memoir, Endurance: A Year in Space, A Lifetime of Discovery.

“We’re always trying to connect Idahoans with new ideas and perspectives of the human experience,” Bringhurst said, “and who has a more interesting human experience than an astronaut?”

Kelly told Coeur d’Alene students that he wasn't a good student at their age, but reading Tom Wolfe's The Right Stuff inspired him to accomplish great things. He made up for his early shortcomings through hard work and a bit of luck.

“I’ve learned so much more in my life when I took chances and I failed than when I succeeded the first time,” Kelly said. “What I think you need to do as young people is challenge yourself.”

After the lecture, Kelly met one-on-one with a few young fans. Dalton Elementary student Calliope McArthur asked Kelly to sign her astronomy book. She said she had dreamed of going to space and being an astronautical engineer since she was a toddler.

Woodland Middle School student Marcus Weinberger bonded with Kelly over a shared passion for the film Top Gun and F-14 Tomcats.

“That’s the best airplane,” Kelly agreed, “it’s like the Harley Davidson of fighter planes.”

Kelly told Weinberger that he chose to fly for the Navy instead of the Air Force because it was a greater challenge.

To conclude the lecture, Kelly repeated the same question he asked the audience at the beginning to make sure they were paying attention.

“What is the best part of being an astronaut?” Kelly asked.

Weinberger’s hand shot up first.

“The challenge,” he said.

Kelly said he was impressed. Not every school group gets it right away.

    Retired astronaut and U.S. Navy Captain Scott Kelly speaks to students at Coeur d'Alene High School.

    Retired astronaut Scott Kelly speaks with sixth-grade Woodland Middle School student Marcus Weinberger.
  

  

    Retired astronaut Scott Kelly speaks to sixth-grade student Marcus Weinberger at Woodland Middle School.
  

    Retired astronaut and U.S. Navy Captain Scott Kelly speaks to students at Coeur d'Alene High School on Oct. 29.