PHS rocketry team focus of CBS News interview

By DIANA AGUIRRE ARMENDÁRIZ

PRESIDIO – The Presidio High School rocketry team was selected, along with two other teams from Presidio, to compete nationally in the state of Virginia this Saturday, May 12. The story piqued the interest of CBS News in New York who sent two of its correspondents, Miles Doran and Steve Hartman, to Presidio. The correspondents traveled to the  Presidio High School, first interviewing Shella Condino, a teacher and the rocketry project manager, who spoke for a long time on the group´s hard work both in the design of the rocket as well as her distinction as being a remarkable teacher in the United States.

“This is a wonderful story. Presidio, Texas, is one of the leading places of these rocket shows around the country,” said Doran, associate producer for CBS News. The producer/correspondent made it clear what an interesting news item it was to follow this story to the town of Presidio.

(staff photo by DIANA AGUIRRE ARMENDARIZ) PHS student and rocketry team member Ana Nieto is interviewed by CBS News journalists Miles Doran and Steve Hartman.

“We come from the city of New York. I’m really impressed by what they have accomplished. It´s amazing,” said Doran.

The correspondents also interviewed the team´s junior year students, including Ana Karen Nieto, who gained fame after her recent visit to the White House where she met with President Barack Obama.

“It’s wonderful to see the rockets fly. It´s great when you see the rocket in the sky: I feel like crying and shouting,” said Nieto during her interview with Hartman. “I don´t know where my inspiration comes from. Maybe through my siblings and the film October Sky”, shared the young woman with the media outlet.

As a result of this trip, the rocketry team held a fundraising event on May 5, bringing in approximately $1,400 through food sales.

“Through the sale of meat kebabs, we will invest the money in the trip and other needs,” said Itza Hanaia Rodríguez, a junior year student and member of the rocketry team. “Although the figure is not sufficient to cover all expenses, some companies have sponsored us and we have support from the Presidio School District.”

Eleven students along with Condino will leave the city on Thursday bound for Virginia. “There are one hundred teams from across the nation chosen by specialists. There will be three teams from Presidio,” said Rodríguez. “We don´t have many resources to invest in the equipment such as the rocket engines, and that limits us a bit when we practice, but we hope we to obtain first place, to compete internationally in the city of London,” she said.