Apr 26th, 2010

LAKE WALES – Bok Academy students are growing accustomed to rocket launches and celebrity speakers on their campus.
This month, for the school’s second annual Bok Rocket Launch, ret. Air Force Lt. Gen. James A. Abrahamson returned to speak to students and offer encouragement. In the early 1980s, Abrahamson was responsible for the nation’s space shuttle program, leading it safely through 10 developmental and early operational launches. From 1984 until his retirement from the Air Force in 1989, he served as director of the Strategic Defense Initiative – often referred to as “Star Wars” – during the Reagan administration.
In addition to Gen. Abrahamson, some of the eighth graders also lectured fellow students on the history of rockets.
“We also had 30 Lake Wales volunteers who worked with about 40 students in our after-school Rocket Project,” said Principal Donna Dunson. “We are very fortunate to have such wonderful volunteers working with our students.”

After the lectures, students and volunteers launched 40 rockets on the Bok lawn facing Crooked Lake.

Later in April, about 40 members of the after-school Rocket Project took a special field trip to Cape Canaveral to see the site of NASA’s rocket launches. Gen. Abrahamson accompanied the students to provide personal commentary and information about the space program.

Photo #1: Unidentified Bok students paint their rockets.

Photo #2: Bok rockets await launch day.