WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | Denmark students, citizens amazed by astronaut's upbringing

Denmark students, citizens amazed by astronaut's upbringing

By Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield - bio | email

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - A man from the Midlands is making local headlines Monday as he heads to the International Space Station with the space shuttle Atlantis.

Astronaut Robert Satcher, Jr. is from Denmark. Citizens and students of the town spent the day in amazement as one of their own reached for the stars.

Twenty-seven years ago, Sandra Moody taught Satcher there. She's at a loss for words when it comes to Satcher's career.

"It's amazing, just totally amazing," said Moody.

Her students share the same awe and amazement at his alma mater.

"When I heard it, I was real shocked cause he went to Denmark-Olar High School.  It told me I can do anything I want to," said student Shawn Murray.

"You don't have no boundaries set, you can still achieve anything you want to in life," said student Bria Dowden.

Moody's English lesson had no words, but it had a clear message about looking ahead and moving up.

"If you knew Satcher, he had that look. I call it the 'It Look,'" said Moody. "I knew he would reach certain heights."

In an interview with NASA's website, Satcher reflected on his small town life, saying some of his old classmates at Denmark-Olar High School didn't go to college, but education was a must with his parents.

Science wasn't his only strong suit. Moody said Satcher excelled in English and played in the band. After high school, he went to Harvard Medical School and got his PhD from MIT.

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