Growing up in Florida, Sara McCracken saw a lot of rocket launches. She knew from an early age she loved space, and she loved to read.

“I didn’t know a lot of kids who went to the space section of Barnes & Noble before they went to the fun section,” she said with a laugh.

By her teen years, McCracken and her family had moved to Georgia, where she attended Strong Rock Christian School in Locust Grove. Along with a few classmates who shared her interest in space, she often spent lunch periods in her science teacher’s classroom, asking to watch videos of rocket launches.

In 2018, that teacher, Nadine Hoenes, learned about the Student Astronaut Challenge and immediately saw its potential. “My mouth dropped open,” Hoenes recalled. “I thought, this is incredible—we’ve got to do this.”

The Student Astronaut Challenge is an aerospace-focused STEM competition for students in grades 6–12. Held annually at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the competition features four challenges: design, engineering, landing, and space flight simulation. “Using a computer program, the kids can simulate flying in real-time, like an actual astronaut,” explained Hoenes.

The competition draws students from across the United States and Europe, but Strong Rock is currently the only school in Georgia offering this unique program. Strong Rock students train nearly year-round, and their dedication has paid off with multiple competition wins. In fact, Strong Rock just secured another first place victory in February 2026.

For McCracken, the Student Astronaut Challenge not only reinforced her passion for space but also taught her an essential life skill: teamwork. “It’s such a team-building exercise because you have to rely on each other.” She said the program also emphasizes the importance of taking initiative and actively seeking solutions.

Student Astronaut participants present their work before a panel of judges, often including engineers from NASA and Blue Origin. “The students’ eyes really open when they go to this competition,” Hoenes said. “Many of them go on to pursue engineering or space-related fields because it shows them, ‘I can do hard things, and I can achieve this’.”

That was certainly true in McCracken’s case. She graduated from Strong Rock in 2021 and is now a second lieutenant in the United States Space Force. Space Force is our country’s newest military branch, designed to help manage and protect our country’s essential satellites and space technology.

Reflecting on her journey, McCracken said both the Student Astronaut Challenge and the Space Force came into her life at exactly the right time. “I don’t think God gives you passions for you not to use them,” she said. She encourages young people to pursue their dreams with faith and determination. “You’re the only one who can convince yourself you can’t do something.”

By Josie Evans