Morristown High Student Launches Into Space at Leadership Academy

Most students spent the end of their winter season gearing up for spring sports, spring break and other extracurricular activities.

Eric Dalpe prepared to fly to the moon. Seriously.

The Morristown High School student was one of 304 participants from 38 countries and 33 states in America chosen to participate in the 2014 Honeywell Leadership Challenge Academy at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

A total of 10 students from New Jersey attended one of two consecutive weeklong events between Feb. 21 and March 7. All participants were between the ages of 16 and 18.

Dalpe took part in shuttle missions, weightlessness training, simulated jet-fighter pilot training, scenario-based space-walking missions, designing, building and testing their own rockets and meeting with top scientists, engineers and former astronauts, according to Honeywell Leadership Challenge Academy.

Students gained entry into the program through a rigorous application process and were awarded scholarships. The application process reviews each potential participant’s academic achievement and community involvement. Scholarships, funded in part by Honeywell Hometown Solutions and Honeywell employee contributions, include tuition, meals, accommodations and program materials.