During 9th period on October 3rd, Leland Melvin came to visit PMS. This scientist, astronaut, and football player, talked about his life, and all the cool things about it. Many students gathered in the High School auditorium to learn and get inspired. 

One thing Leland explained is how it felt leaving earth in the rocket. He said it was hard to breathe but he was still so happy. Leland explained how every 45 minutes he would see a sunrise. He stated it was “The most beautiful thing,”. Leland also told students that sleeping was so comfortable because “you were just… floating there,”. Sounds comfortable to me! Besides being in space, Leland shared how during astronaut training, he lost his hearing. This is because he was doing an underwater pressure test, and part of his suit was missing but he kept going deeper and deeper underwater anyway. The pressure did something to his ear and it threatened to end his career as an astronaut. Although, he didn’t let that happen. Many tests and days in the hospital later, his hearing started to come back! This shows how much persistence and determination he has. 

Leland Melvin has had many careers, but he did the same thing in each one. He was persistent! He never stopped working for what he wanted to have and what he wanted to prove. And we are so thankful that Leland Melvin visited our school, and taught over 200 students to never give up.