[EvilInside]

The crew of STS-107 and all space shuttle crews have a significant meaning to myself and many others. Not only is NASA and the individuals of the organization involved with FIRST but in many other educational organizations that allow ordinary people like those of us participating in FIRST do extraordinary things. Through the NASA program S.E.M. I have sent an experiment into space, through FIRST I have gone through six weeks of voluntary insomnia, and perhaps later on in life I may be shot into space via the shuttle program. Without these people, these current astronauts paving the way for humanity to cross the threshold into the unknown, without their willingness and sacrifice, we would have nothing. I feel deeply for the families of the astronauts who perished in the unfortunate accident, and I want them to know that even though their loved ones were ordinary people, they are true heroes in a genuine aspect. We in FIRST benefit from the bravery of these people, and it saddens me that it takes tragedy to realise the true nature of our fellow man.

-Justin Baumgartner, Team 706 of Hartland, Wisconsin