NEWS

Journey between Aumsville and the mesosphere

Justin Much
Stayton Mail

"The only person stopping you is you."

That’s what commercial astronaut and actor Pete Freeland recently told students in Katy Ranzoni’s science class at Cascade Junior High School.

Delivered during a speaking engagement on Friday, March 13, Freeland’s message was apt for several reasons: Ranzoni’s students were fresh from their astronomy lessons; Freeland’s an alumni of the school, a 1984 graduate of Cascade High School; he recently earned a spot as a commercial astronaut in the PoSSUM program -- a non-profit suborbital research program.

Freeland’s latter milestone ultimately arose from an ambition he’d harbored since his grade-school days in Aumsville and perhaps even daydreamed about in that very classroom. Former classmate and current CJHS Assistant Principal Arnie Lowder helped facilitate the visit.

“Pete spoke about his experience working (with) NASA and his current project regarding commercial space flight,” Lowder said. “This project (PoSSUM) will take samples from the mesosphere.

“Pete also encouraged the students to really reach for their dreams,” Lowder continued. “Pete…sat in that very classroom -- as I did, too -- when Mr. Heil taught science at Cascade. He told (students) he had two dreams: One was to be an astronaut and the other was to be on television. He has realized both…”

Heil perhaps served as a strong mentor since he hosted PBS’s “Newton’s Apple” in the ‘80s and ‘90s, a show focused on science and geared toward grade-school kids.

But on this day in class, Freeland was filling the role of mentor and motivator.

“He was wonderful,” Ranzoni said, stressing Freeland’s motivational angle. “We just finished studying astronomy, and he came to discuss his experiences as an astronaut. He kept the kids engaged with his fascinating topics as well as his humor. He showed us some pictures of his experiences and his upcoming PoSSUM activities.

“Pete was very encouraging by explaining his educational background of attending Cascade then going on to becoming an astronaut and actor,” she added. “He told the kids that whatever they imagined, they could achieve.”

Freeland drew from his earliest memories, which may have emerged more freely to him amid the foothill and farm-field backdrop of his youth.

“I was a strange case: I remember as a little kid seeing astronauts on TV and thinking, ‘I want to do that,’ ” Freeland recalled. “That was it; I knew what I wanted to do in my life.”

That fascination provided the impetus to learn everything he could about the subject, and ultimately guided Freeland to become a pilot, get an engineering degree and fly in the military. He also welcomed stints in the acting arena along the way. But space and flying reached deep into his dreams early on, and the dream remained resilient.

“As a 3rd grader I remember spending hours in the library at Aumsville Elementary, reading everything I could on space and astronauts - I think I read every book on it five times and was stalking the poor librarian for the latest magazines and any other info I could find,” he said. “I used that information to guide me in my journey over the last 30 years, but also didn't use it to constrict me when other relevant opportunities came up such as my acting career.”

Recent opportunity through the PoSSUM project coupled with the visit to his roots while addressing Cascade students placed Freeland in a unique situation of concurrent reflection and anticipation. As such, he stressed to the students that true reward is derived through the journey, not the destination.

“In looking at my recent training and upcoming spaceflight, this opportunity is definitely fulfilling the dream of a lifetime for me,” he said. “I was a finalist several times to be a Mission Specialist astronaut on the space shuttle program but was not selected.”

Freeland kept his eye on the ball, remained plugged into news and information about developments in various space programs. One of PoSSUMS charges is to gather information regarding climactic nuances. That is an exercise he embraces.

“I am looking forward to my spaceflight, and excited to be a part of a mission that will eventually help in finding a solution to issues of climate change, and have a lasting impact on our planet,” he said.

So, too, may words of encouragement, ambition and motivation he shares with fellow Cougar kids.

"The only person stopping you is you."

jmuch@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 769-6338, cell (503) 508-8157 or follow at twitter.com/justinmuch

On the web

Learn more about Project PoSSUM at http://projectpossum.org

Learn more about Pete Freeland at http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3062625/?ref_=nv_sr_1

National Geographic video: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/03/150319-scientist-astronaut-space-flight-noctilucent-cloud-mesosphere-science/