Holmdel High Senior Chosen For Space Ambassador Program

HOLMDEL, NJ — Holmdel High School senior Shayna Ahteck is one of 25 high school students from across the United States selected through a competition to become a Student Ambassador with the Back to Space Program, located outside of Dallas, Texas.

The Back to Space (BTS) program is the brainchild of Danielle Roosa, the granddaughter of Apollo 14 astronaut Stuart Roosa. The program’s mission is to preserve our nation’s aerospace legacy and prepare middle and high school students for STEM-related careers.

To be selected, students had to submit a video essay focused on why STEM education is imperative in today's society. Shayne will travel to Dallas in October where she will meet with former astronauts and others to learn more about the program’s plan to send one astronaut and one student into space via a commercial vehicle in 2020.

“I’m very excited to represent Holmdel High School and student researchers in my ambassador role honoring the 50th anniversary of the Apollo space program,” Shayna said upon learning of her selection for the program. “I hope to help promote STEM through several initiatives in the Back to Space program and media projects to come."

Shayna is currently in her third year of Holmdel High School’s Honors Advanced Research course, designed to engage students in high-level problem solving activities through research and experimentation. Holmdel High School offers more than 20 courses in science, including the highly regarded Honors Advanced Research class and one of the state’s first marine biology courses.

Photo of Shayna supplied by Holmdel schools.