Trey's essay for Space Camp

This is the essay Trey wrote for his Space Camp scholarship application...I will post Ryan's next...they have to be mailed in by March 10, with 2 references. We are waiting for ther references to come back, he asked his supervisor from the library and his CAP Commder of Cadets to write his 2 references. We should know in May if either one or both of the boys are chosen to receive a scholarship.


My name is Trey Griffing, and I am a 7th grade homeschool student. I believe I should be selected as a Space Camp scholarship recipient because I think it would be a good way to learn about being an astronaut, the space environment, and how people work in space. I also think I should be selected because I am a member of Civil Air Patrol, which includes an Aerospace Education program with studies of rockets, space environment, and spacecraft. I can also take what I learn back to my squadron and help others learn about aerospace. I recently took part in a Rocketry Weekend, where I built and launched model rockets, and completed the requirements to earn my Model Rocketry badge for Civil Air Patrol.

I am proud to live in a country as great as the United States. Our country has always been the world leader in freedom, since we help many other countries defend themselves from more oppressive forms of government. I am proud of the fact that my dad is in the Army. He always says he is willing to defend freedom overseas in the hope that others don’t have to in years to come. I know firsthand what it is like to have a family member overseas, as my dad has served in the Sinai Desert, South Korea, and Iraq. I do miss him when he’s gone, but I am glad that he is willing to put his country above himself. I am proud that he is currently teaching future drill sergeants how to train new soldiers to defend our country. He says one reason he was inspired to join the military is because of his grandfather, Homer Hudson Hammond, who died in World War II defending the same freedoms that he defends now.

My future goals are to graduate high school and go to college, possibly Dallas Christian College in Dallas, Texas. I plan to major in History, Math, and Theology. After college, I plan to join the army as an officer. I am considering becoming a chaplain or a helicopter pilot. I want to be a chaplain because I would be serving God by helping others know Him. I want to be a helicopter pilot because I am interested in the piloting and operating systems of helicopters. I plan to make a career of the Army.

I have been volunteering at my local library once a week since November, 2006. I unload delivery bins full of books, I gather items requested for delivery, and I clean books after people have used them. I have also been a Counselor-In-Training at a summer day camp for children (grade K-2).

Immediately after camp, I intend to tell my Civil Air Patrol squadron about my experience and what I learned. I also want to tell all my friends about my experience. In the long run, I intend to use what I learned to help mentor cadets at the next CAP Rocketry Weekend. I also plan to use my knowledge in college when I take any Math, Science, or Engineering classes.