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Last updated on Monday, July 16, 2018
(BEDFORD) - The BNL Scholarship Foundation 50th Anniversary’s keynote speaker, astronaut Ken Bowersox, took the audience to stellar places as he went through a presentation of photos and videos of the missions he completed during his career.
Bowersox is a BHS graduate from the class of 1974 and considers Bedford to be his home. He has flown on five space shuttles, was on the International Space Station for five and a half months and has been in space for 211 days.
Right: Photo of an Aurora from Bowersox's slide show
His photos and videos would take anyone's breath away. In one video, Bowersox is shown wearing a BNL Stars ball cap to protect his eyes from the sun.
"Anybody notice that hat?... This is the only audience that will appreciate that!... Usually it's just shameless promotion when people are wearing those hats," said Bowersox.
The audience laughed and awed at the sight of BNL's logo.
The astronaut spoke highly of his time at BHS and one teacher who was in attendance, Mary Gabbard, that really pushed him to succeed his sophomore year.
Bowersox said that space exploration will go back to the Moon and Mars as technology is developed to take humans deeper in to space.
"If you think about... the potential to send humans to Mars in 20 years, it's not that far away. Some of the students here in the room could participate in those missions as astronauts or as engineers, or as taxpayers," said Bowersox.
The audience laughed, again.
Before Bowersox, 2003 BNL graduate and recipient of a four year continuing scholarship, Jamie Medlock and 1992 BNL graduate, Scott Buttz spoke on their experience with the BNL Scholarship Foundation.
Buttz is a scholarship recipient, donor and sponsor of the event.
Buttz touched on his mother's fight with leukemia and how she has her own memorial scholarship through the BNL Scholarship Foundation.
"As a testimonial as a recipient, it changed my life. As a donor, it continues to change my life. And as a sponsor, I hope we can continue our family to change others," said Buttz.
Board Member, Mary Nell Boyer, wrapped up the evening, "The main thing that I want everyone in this room to know is how blessed everyone here is to be and live in the city of Bedford, IN."
"It's just exciting when you know that you're a part of the future of the youth, because, people, the youth are our future. And I will say, for a town the size of Bedford to give $576,000 at one time to 163 students is pretty phenomenal," said Boyer.
The BNL Scholarship Foundation has helped BNL Seniors pursue their academic goals for 50 years.
Dr. Dan A Schaffer, Superintendent of North Lawrence Community Schools, was a major force in the organization of the foundation. The total amount awarded to students the first year totaled $400. In 50 years the foundation has awarded students with over 6 million.
The event was a celebration to give thanks and appreciation to the dedicated donors.
For more information on the BNL Scholarship Foundation, click here.
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