Astronaut Hayley Arceneaux’s Visit Was Out of This World

Our girls enjoyed the opportunity to ask Arceneaux all about her trip to space in 2021 as well as her book, “Wild Ride.” Katie Cruzen ’33 said it was the “best day ever!” Students’ thoughtful questions ranged from “What made you want to share your story?” to “What was it like to fight cancer?” to “How does space food taste?” Arceneaux said she appreciated the curiosity and empathy in our girls’ questions.

“We have been working on relating to different people and showing empathy toward others,” fourth grade teacher Jessica Wilson said. “Our girls were looking forward to hearing her speak as she is a real-life example of how someone can show resilience in life when faced with enormous obstacles.”

During Arceneaux’s talk, she encouraged them to pursue their dreams and persevere through difficult times — such as her cancer treatment and the strenuous training it took for her to go to space — because of the beauty that can come afterward. Fewer than 100 women have gone to space, and Arceneaux told our girls that she wants to see more women become astronauts. When she asked how many of them want to be astronauts one day, almost half the room raised their hands.

“She showed them what it looks like to never give up on your hopes and dreams no matter what. To say that our girls were motivated by her visit is an understatement,” Wilson said.