A Poem for Ron McNair

10 minus 2 and counting, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 blast off
the McNair Launch,
He saw and star and followed it
The gleam was enough to show
That knowledge and wisdom lay hidden
Out there where few dared to go
He said to his people, "I'll brave it for you
To see what all's to see
Perhaps I'll find us a place to live
All races, all people in peace"
He did not go for personal gain
His attempt put the Aggies on the map
He did not go for accolades
Not for praise, nods or a clap
But he went to blaze new horizons
Striving earnestly to reach his goal
So he journeyed to solve life's mysteries,
A wealth of knowledge untold.
The shuttle Challenger failed
Sacrificing lives as it burned through the sky
But memories of the souls live on
The challenge in the hearts will never die!
As Ron is thousands of miles above us
If we could hear him, I'm sure he'd say
Aggies, you can celebrate my accomplishments
But realize, I only unveiled the way!
It's up to you to follow your star
Do groundwork for a brighter day:
The world depends on it and You
You must pave another way
The countdown has begun
Are you ready to see it through
10 minus 2 and counting, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 ...
The rest is up to you!

By Erica D. Smith, Student Government Asssociation President at North Carolina A&T State University