Shepard Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Space Flight

It was an achievement that for generations was a dream as far off as the heavens. A human in space. Fifty years ago that barrier was broken and at a high school in Palos Heights its anniversary takes on a bit more significance.

Students and faculty at celebrated their namesake's achievement Thursday afternoon.

Principal Josh Barron, who frequently invokes the phrase "Astro pride", recounted the significance of the first manned space flight half a century ago.

"We talk about Astro pride and the reason we call ourselves Shepard Astros," Barron said.

Junior Shaquille Dukes shared Olsen's assessment of the day.

"We have a huge sense of pride," Dukes said. "It was really nice to come out and celebrate this and be a part of it."

The ceremony also featured a speech by Jim Riley, owner of Riley's Trick Shop in Worth. Riley recounted when as a seventh-grader at St. Sabina School in Chicago he and his classmates listened to the flight the radio.

"When Shepard announced that he was safely back on Earth, the school erupted." Riley said. "Girls cried and hugged, boys shook hands and slapped backs."

The school commemorated the 50th anniversary with temporary banners and a plaque dedicated in honor of the day.

For a detailed account of Shepard's flight visit NASA's website.