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The Challenger Space Shuttle exploded in 1986 shortly after lift-off. Since Houston plays such a large role in the space program, the tragedy marked this city especially deeply. At St. Francis Episcopal Day School, we planted a live oak tree in memory of the six astronauts and the one school teacher on board who perished in the accident. There is a plaque positioned at the base of the tree which reads:May Your Future Be Limited Only By Your Dreams In Honor Of Gregory B. Jarvis Judith A. Resnik Ronald E. McNair Francis R. Scobee Ellison S. Onizuka Michael J. Smith Christa McAuliffe January 28, 1986 My eighth grade students chose to describe this tree and its relationship to the community. I have three classes of eighth grade language students, and each class contributed a paragraph to the final essay—sound, smell or sight. The following essay represents a part of their world through their eyes.
The memory of a noble mission whispers in the leaves. Cheering children’s voices in the distance symbolize the excitement of the crowd at the shuttle’s lift-off. Even though the tree and its surroundings can’t speak, you can hear the story of a brave space journey that ended in tragedy. The whistling wind as it carves through the branches mimics the growling engine of the space shuttle. We can hear the echoes of bicycles, airplanes and cars rushing by. With the refrain of bees buzzing, birds chirping and squirrels chattering around the tree, a sound of tranquility can be heard. The quiet silence soothes our ears, calming us. The tree and the noises around it represent the memory of Challenger. Even though lives were lost, the tones of life live on in the surroundings of the tree.
The distinctive smells around us mark the tragedy that the Challenger explosion imprinted on Houston. Although those aboard the shuttle will never smell the aromas around the tree, it is a memorandum of their lives and deaths. The choking scent of car exhaust not only reminds us of our polluted surroundings but also of the terrible accident. However, the wet soil softly blanketing the edges of the tree represents the astronauts now peacefully at rest. They’ll never again have a chance to smell the November crispness. Or the birchy smell that settles in the fresh air. The natural earthy musk. Or even the new mulch recently replenished. The silent smell of life expresses the continuation of the lives lost in the shuttle explosion. And while the fragrance of our beautiful tree will be here forever, unfortunately the people for whom it is dedicated have already passed on.
When the disaster occurred and people lost their lives, a tree was born in living remembrance of the astronauts. This tree symbolizes tragedy, but is still growing and filled with hope and spirit. As the light shines through the leaves of the tree, it is an explosion of life. The soft grass acts as a blanket and gazes up at the olive and yellow leaves that dance and smile in the breeze. Many mangled, brown branches swaying in the wind hover over, sheltering us like an umbrella. The freshly spread mulch, the green grass, the tall tree and the clouds floating in the blue sky all paint a picture of peace and serenity. The tree is a home for life and death. Birds fly, children play, people laugh, cars pass by. Life goes on. God’s speed Challenger. God’s speed life.
Brought to you by the creative minds in Mr. Price’s language classes:
Brett Annunziato, Terry Austin, Jeff Bahm, Amy Baird, Mason Bergman, Jake Boyer, Anne Louise Conway, Chase Crouch, Caroline Dudley, Jim Edwards, Ellen English, Erin Eriksen, Laura Gibson, Matt Grisell, Howard Haryanto, Catherine Johnston, Daniel Jump, Haden Masterson, Kate McLean, Kalon McMahon, Blake Stokes, Kate Watkins, Kendall Buckalew, Andrew Clarkson, Robbie Foley, Helen Fuchs, Robbie Gay, Meagan Glenney, Shea Henry, Aaron Hoffman, Rachael Jones, Michole Lazzara, Philip Lucas,Claire McConnell, Sean Murphy, Rishi Reddy, Sara Smelley, Emily Stewart, Tobin Summers, Lauryn Tillery, Ivan Vrcek, Richard Wiley, Cyrus Aghili, Adriana Banks, Trevor Couch, Chris Crouch, Lauren Edlund, Ashley Forgason, Tommy Hensley, Alan Hong, Cliff Hortenstine, Lauren Hudson, Rachel Johnston, Kelly Meyer, Caroline Murtaugh, Ashley Parker, Johnny Price, Jolie Relyea, Keegan Salners, Elizabeth Schlotzhauer, Kevin Small, Whitney Walker, Amir Ziafat.
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