NASA pilot speaks at Indiana alma mater

BLACKFORD COUNTY, Ind., (WANE) -- - From Indiana, to outer space, and back to Indiana again.  Monday morning, Kevin Ford returned to his alma mater, Blackford High School suited up in NASA gear.

Ford gave an hour long presentation about his experiences as pilot of the space shuttle Discovery. Ford was one of seven astronauts who took part in a 13-day mission that began August 28th.

The 49-year-old is from Montpelier, and graduated from Blackford High School in 1978.

"It feels really good, because this is my roots," Ford told NewsChannel 15. "I sat right in those bleachers and I had a dream. I didn't know if I'd go to space when I was in high school, but I had a dream of doing something that was really cool like that."

Ford describes his time in space as the experience of his life. He spent nine years training, before the shuttle ever lifted off.

"Even though you mentally prepare for it, it's just hard to imagine until you get there, and I would say 'hey, stuff is floating'."

Zero gravity, space food, and using the bathroom in space all came up during the hour long presentation.

During the special assembly, Ford gave hundreds of students a behind-the-scenes look at his space adventures by showing private crew video and sharing several personal stories.

He also had a message for the students: be persistent, and stick to your goals. Ford revealed he'd been rejected three times, before being accepted into NASA's astronaut program.

"I thought it was awesome cause he graduated from Blackford," said Blackford senior Terri Woodall. "It's like nobody does anything cool from Blackford."

Junior Ethan Harriett added,"I was focused the whole time, and it was just good."

"I thought it was really really interesting. I didn't know how they used the bathroom," junior Amanda Nelson told NewsChannel 15.

Before the assembly concluded, Ford presented the school with a special poster and a medallion. The medallion had previously been given to him by the school. Ford took it with him on the space mission, with the intention of bringing it back one day. In return, principal Sue Neat presented Ford with an identical medallion to keep.

"It's a great deal of pride that he is an alum," said Neat. "I think it makes an impression on the students, that somebody can strive for this kind of achievement and make it."

The medallion will soon be displayed proudly in the front hallway, according to Neat. It will join several other displays spread around the school that focus on Ford and his achievements.

Several students tell NewsChannel 15 it's an extra boost of motivation.

"A lot of people act like they're from BlackFord so they don't have reason to do something big, but he did, so it kind of gives you hope that you can too," said junior Stacie Enyeart.

Ford says he'll be heading back to his home in Texas soon. He tells NewsChannel 15 that he'd love to return to space, if he has the opportunity again.