CARIBOU, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- Caribou High School got a visit last month from one of its graduates who reached for the stars when picking her dream job.
NASA astronaut, Dr. Jessica Meir, talked with students about her work during a visit to the same auditorium where she used to perform with the school band in. She explained how she applied to the NASA program twice before being accepted and how she first set her sights on working for the program when she was five years old.
"It's really difficult to believe sometimes that your five year old dream can actually come true, so I know that I'm incredibly fortunate to have that happen," said Meir.
The performing arts center at Caribou High School was filled with students during Meir's visit. Some asked questions about how she's preparing for her first mission and others were curious about what mentors she had growing up in their town. Senior, Ethan Plourde, listened intently to her advice because he too wants to work for NASA one day.
"I just wanted to see an astronaut for myself," said Plourde. "This is my first time experiencing someone who is actually involved in NASA. It's pretty exciting to me."
Meir was in her hometown of Caribou for less than 48 hours, but was able to visit with childhood friends and past teachers during her visit. She also had a speaking engagement at the Challenger Learning Center in Bangor while she was in Maine. At each stop she shared the same important message.
"Doesn't matter where you come from or what you look like, if you're a male or a female everyone can do whatever they set their mind toward," said Meir.
In Jessica's high school year book she wrote that her future goal was to go on a space walk. Though she hasn't made that goal come true yet, she's well on her way hoping that her first mission to space will happen by 2017.
