Samo witnesses flight of retired space shuttle

Samo students and staff excitedly left classrooms in the middle of instruction to watch the retired space shuttle Endeavour fly over the Santa Monica Pier at the beginning of  fourth period on Friday, Sept. 21, according to senior Preston Searfoss. According to the Los Angeles Times, the Endeavour was “perched atop a modified 747” as it completed its tour of California.Many teachers, including math teacher Ryan Hoffman, allowed their classes to go outside as the shuttle came into view.“Since there are a large number of windows in my classroom, students noticed the shuttle and all ran to the window,” Hoffman said. “At that point, it seemed appropriate to let them go outside. When the shuttle was gone, they all promptly came back into the room and we picked up where we left off.”Senior Ada Campagna said that the excitement surrounding the flight of the shuttle dominated her third period class.“One girl was so excited she knocked over a desk and two boys stood on the ledge next to the window in order to get a better view," Campagna said. "As it passed by, [Kelly] Okla recited fun facts about the shuttle. After, no one could concentrate so Okla played music.”Many students took out their cell phones and filmed the passage of the shuttle, according to Searfoss.“The students basically formed a giant glob that shifted based on the shuttle's location," Searfoss said. "Students were very excited and focused solely on its presence.”When the Endeavour became visible to those at Samo, students cheered and chanted "U.S.A."“I’ve been waiting for a while to see this,” senior Emanuel Beltran said.The annual Samo safety presentation in Barnum Hall coincided with the passing of the shuttle, and according to sophomore Katelyn Jacobson, whose class was on its way to the presentation, the event was delayed until the shuttle passed.“It was so close; I felt like I could touch it,” Jacobson said. “It was breathtaking.”Olivia LeganNews Magazine Editor-in-Chiefolegan@thesamohi.com