It's not every day that a high school student serves as Commander for a Space Shuttle Mission. But that's exactly what Summit junior, Maren B., did while attending the Advanced Space Academy Program at the beginning of September.

"I was absolutely shocked that my first role for the mission was commander," said Maren. "Commander Maren comes out good, I guess! It was a shuttle mission... my job as commander was to keep everyone in line while two of my crew mates did a spacewalk to service a broken satellite." The program, held at the US Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, provides an opportunity for students to learn the history of space flight, run mission simulations, and even experience some of the training astronauts undergo as they prepare for space travel. 

"At space camp, I learned so many things that I will never forget," said Maren. "I made a lot of friends [and] by the end of the week we were inseparable, like one big, happy family. I got to learn what it's like to be both in mission control and to be an astronaut."

For Maren, a week was not enough. "Next year, I want to go back to the Elite Space Academy, the most advanced for high schoolers." When asked how this experience changed her focus for the future, Maren said "I still like the idea of going into astrophysics. I don't think [my goals have] changed except the idea to become an astronaut has grown. I want to be in space as a physicist. I feel like physics is my thing and I have enjoyed it."

Release of the Butterflies

Third graders have been releasing the butterflies from their classroom butterfly garden over the past couple of days! The students were fascinated with the butterflies and this project helped them learn about animal life cycles. Because of Summit's curricular integration, some of their spelling words correlated with this project, too: butterfly, migrate, and nectar.

Next, the class will plant a mini vegetable and herb garden as they learn more about plant and animals structures.

The Wheels on Mr. Mike's Bus Go Round and Round

Summit Early Learners had the best day ever on Friday! The classes are learning about Community Helpers around school and on Friday they learned all about what Mr. Mike does at The Summit, including driving The Summit shuttle bus. The Early Learners loaded up and buckled in for a trip around the parking lot on the shuttle bus. They marveled at the playground from the parking lot and enjoyed singing "The Wheels on Mr. Mike's bus go round and round!" The students cannot wait until they're in Kindergarten and can go on field trips in The Summit shuttle bus!

Cross Country Meet at Rogersville

Summit Middle Schoolers competed at the Rogersville Cross Country meet on Thursday, September 8th. The team continues to improve their times at each event. Don't miss their next meet at Reeds Spring on Monday.

Fall 2022 Junior High Cross Country Schedule:

• Monday 9/19 at Reeds Spring
• Tuesday 9/27 at Republic
• Thursday 10/13 at Clever

Boys Basketball Falls to Wheatland Tuesday Night

The Summit Ravens Junior High Basketball team traveled to Wheatland for the first away game of the season on Tuesday night. The hard fought game ended in narrow loss in the final quarter, but the team, and their fans, received huge compliments for their sportsmanship from the opposing team. "After the game we had a Wheatland parent approach our Summit parent group and thank us for being so respectful and fun to play," said Melissa Kimmons, Summit basketball mom. "He said that our kids, fans, and coaches were extremely respectful and had great sportsmanship. Kudos to Coach Jones!"

Summit Night at the Springfield Cardinals

It was another fun night at the ball park on Friday, September 9th as families gathered for Summit Night at the Springfield Cardinals. Over 85 people from The Summit (students, parents, faculty, staff, and even grandparents) cheered on the local baseball team to a win and many stayed to enjoy the fireworks after! We can't wait for next season!

Friends of the Garden

Thank you to Nicole Sanders, Dan Papsdorf, Dana Thomas, and sophomore Grace P. for their work on the flower beds over the weekend! The Friends of the Garden group met on Sunday 9/11 and worked for 2 hours, weeding and shaping the native garden beds in front of the school. The next gathering is on Saturday, October 1st from 1-3 p.m. and all are welcome to join!

Things blooming in front of the school right now, just for fun:

• Around Summit sign - Cliff Goldenrod (Solidago drummondii) and Prairie Dropseed Grass (Sporobolus heterolepis)
• Bed across driveway from Summit sign - Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), Missouri Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia missouriensis) and Rose Verbena (Glandularia canadensis).
• Outside admin windows: False Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides)

*Some of these species are blooming in some of the other beds right now too