On Friday, Feb. 23, the husband and wife duo, American politician Gabrielle Giffords and former NASA astronaut Mark Kelly, were the featured speakers at the Youth Town Hall event at the Renaissance Esmeralda. High school students were also given the chance to meet current NASA astronaut, Megan McArthur.

The main topic between the speakers was how far they had to get in order to reach certain points in their life. McArthur explained how she achieved her goal of becoming an astronaut. Through hard work, perseverance and dedication, she traveled a path different from others. She reiterated the point that there is always more than one road to every destination. 

Her story represented growth and how students can relate to her journey. Like any teenager, McArthur initially had no idea of what would be in store for her future; everything was left in the unknown. However, she stumbled upon a strong aspiration to become an astronaut and joked on how the idea itself was strange and that “people don’t usually want to become astronauts or take [the idea] seriously.”

McArthur was met with support from others around her. Although she had no plan on how to achieve her plans of becoming an astronaut, she was motivated to successfully complete her dreams. It took baby steps on earth before she took her big leap into space.

Similar to McArthur, Mark Kelly recalled his own steps he took to fly the skies, push into space, and even how he found patience in his love life. Before taking his journey into space, Kelly was a U.S. Navy captain and had to complete flight lessons.

While he faced struggles during his work in the Navy and later work with NASA, his patience was tested after an assassination attempt occurred on his wife, Gabrielle Giffords. Kelly discussed on how impatient he was as a person and still is. However, while he “knew it would be hard to be patient,” he “understood what I had to do for her and she had helped me work with my patience.”

Giffords was a Democratic congresswoman from 2007 to 2012 and her focus on health care reform and illegal immigration were sources of attention for those opposed to her candidacy. As a result, she was shot in a Safeway market parking lot in 2011. Others injured and killed include a nine-year-old girl who inspired Giffords’ campaign against gun violence.

After this occurred, Kelly and his wife walked a long, hard road of recovery filled with patience, love, and sacrifice. Their journey together is an inspiration to people everywhere and gave students initiative to continue their own journeys.

Youth Town Hall closed up for the night with an open discussion between the high school students. La Quinta High School student and student ambassador, Andrew Hunter ‘18, introduced Kelly for the night. Kelly and Giffords are so inspirational,” he said. “They were able to overcome their struggles and Giffords has come a long way from her accident.”

Hunter elaborated on the discussion and “felt that because of their story, we were able to smoothly introduce the discussion questions. The audience was able to build up their confidence and express their opinions, especially on the controversial topic of gun control. This was the first time the event was completely student-led and everything was a success.”