Astronaut Challenge (continued from page 6) of the competition. While students worked to gain the skills necessary to compete at a national level, the teams also worked to raise $12,500 to get them to the competition. Community partners stepped up to help. Bobcat of Savannah, SAME Engineers, Armstrong State University, McDonalds, Isle of Hope News, and many others – gave to support the cause. Then, the staff, faculty, and families of Isle of Hope School generously contributed over $7000.00. Coach Rethwisch reminded the students, “You do your jobs and the Isle of Hope Community will get you there.” Together, the mission was accomplished. The IOH Fiddlernauts left for NASA in Cape Canaveral, Florida on February 18th and competed against 12 other schools February 19th – 21st. The year previously (2016-2017), the IOH Fiddlernauts won 2ndplace in the Launch and Land Challenge. By the end of the second day of competition in 2018, Isle of Hope qualified BOTH teams’ simulator crews in the Semi-Finals…out of the top five teams in the nation, IOH had secured two spots! In the simulator semi-finals challenge, students must recognize and remediate life threatening emergencies. The IOH Fiddlernaut “Bigs,” once again qualified for the finals…securing one of the top three spots in the nation. The IOH “Bigs” also qualified for the Landing Finals (Owen Walsh and Henry Fowler)!! The night before the last day of competition was full of last minute preparations but in the midst of that preparation, the Fiddlernauts were surprised by a visit from NASA Commander Shane Kimbrough. “When your students meet their hero...the astronaut who has invested in them... the one they consider ‘their astronaut’,” explains Coach Rethwisch, “Then, he spends almost an hour with them...encouraging/congratulating them, answering questions, taking pictures and signing shirts/hats... everything you’ve worked so hard for becomes clear. As he spent time talking to our kids about those who inspired him (continued on page 14) Frank E. Scarbrough | D.M.D., F.A.C.O.M.S. • Michael C. Wilson | D.M.D., F.A.C.O.M.S. Dr. Paul M. Hinchey | D.M.D., M.D. Dual Board Certified Surgeons with combined 35 years of experience specializing in: Dental Implants, Wisdom Teeth Extractions, Comprehensive TMJ Treatment, Laser Procedures, Oral Pathology, Bone Grafts / Reconstruction, Dental Extractions, Facial Trauma, Jaw Surgery, Sleep Apnea, General Anesthesia, I.V. Sedations Serving Savannah for 19 years • 3i, Nobel, Zimmer, and BioHorizon implant systems consultants • Staff members at St. Joseph’s/Candler and Memorial University Medical Center, American Board of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery • Fellows, American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons 501 Eisenhower Dr. Savannah 912-354-1515 145 Traders Way, Suite A Pooler Pooler Parkway / Godley Station 912-748-4365 www.chathamoralsurgery.com 11 613 Towne Park Drive, W., Ste. 301 Rincon, GA 31326
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