Gabe Skinner selected to attend Space Academy in June; HMS student shares winning essay

HAMILTON — Gabe Skinner, 12, a sixth-grade student at Hamilton Middle School, has been selected to attend the Space Academy for Leading Students in Alabama at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala.
SALSA is a program funded by the State of Alabama Legislature that awards a male and female student between the ages of 12 to 14 from every legislative district in Alabama a scholarship to attend a special session of Space Academy.
During Space Academy, students are inspired in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as well as learning leadership and teamwork skills.
To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be Alabama residents, must not be prior SALSA scholarship winners and must submit an essay and other materials.
Gabe is an academically strong student at HMS, attends First Baptist Church in Hamilton, participates in Hamilton Parks & Recreation Department Track and Field, loves to game with his friends and has just discovered a new hobby of scuba diving.
He is excited to attend the SALSA session this June to make new friends and experience the simulations used in astronaut training.  
Currently, Gabe is planning to have a future career that combines marine biology and robotics and would like to attend college at a university with a great science program.
Gabe is the son of Eric and Lori Skinner of Hamilton, and the grandson of Dr. Larry and Darlene Carter, Hamilton; Larry and Barbara Cantrell, Harvest; and Ricky and Grace Skinner, Hamilton.
“Gabe has always had an inquisitive mind and likes to understand the world around him,” shared his mother, Lori. “We are so excited that he will have this opportunity to attend this session of Space Academy and be exposed to new enriching experiences. We are so blessed to have such a great science facility in our state.”
Lori helped compile the information in this article, as well as the fact Gabe was the only student accepted for the program in June from Marion County.
For more information about NASA's SALSA program, please visit rocketcenter.com/SpaceCamp/Alabama/SpaceAcademy.

Gabe’s essay
Reprinted below is Gabe’s essay, which helped him qualify for SALSA.
“I would very much like to have the opportunity to attend Space Academy for Leading Students in Alabama because it will provide me with exceptional development in the scientific field and the scientific method.
“Currently, when I grow up I want to be a marine biologist and use robotics in my field. But I would love to learn more about air and space careers and how scientists apply these subjects into their occupations.
“I would be excited to attend Space Academy for Leading Students in Alabama to learn critical thinking processes and to learn more about STEM subjects as well as experience the simulations for astronaut training.
“I think I would most enjoy doing the simulations around the NASA Space and Rocket Center complex and making new friends who share my interests. I also think that I would grow my leadership skills and confidence by attending this camp. Spending a week away from home encourages me to be responsible for myself and my belongings as well.
“I previously attended NASA’s Robotics Camp and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I made new friends and had new experiences that taught me more about robotics and the processes that are used. I would appreciate having the opportunity to have this experience with astronaut training and space exploration.
“I have also thought that I would very much enjoy going to the other available camps available at NASA Space and Rocket Center and was excited to find out this opportunity was available. I think it would be a very exhilarating experience to have another week long adventure at NASA Space and Rocket Center this summer.”