Keesler youth participate in summer camp programs Published Aug. 27, 2009 By Earlene Smith 81st Training Wing KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Two Keesler young people, Stephen Alexander and Paul Solomon, were selected to participate in summer camps this year. The Air Force sponsors a certain number of slots for these camps each summer and solicits applications from base youth centers through their major commands. Stephen Alexander, 12, son of retired Maj. Ronald and Mireya Alexander of Ocean Springs, represented Keesler at the youth space camp at Huntsville, Ala. He was one of 48 youth chosen from a field of 160 applicants from all branches of the military. Selections were based on grades, achievements, school awards, and a written essay titled, "Why I Want to Go to Space Camp." Stephen maintained a 4.0 grade point average at Our Lady of Fatima School and was awarded the Gardetto/ Han Scholarship to attend St. Patrick's High School. He's an altar server and active in the choir at Our Lady of Fatima Church, assists with cleaning the church and participates in a drug education for youth program. He's a cross country skier and is on the Gulf Coast United Soccer Team where he's qualified to play all positions. Stephen plays the piano, trumpet, keyboard and is a member of the school band. While at space camp, Stephen was enrolled in astronaut, wilderness and flight simulator training as part of the hybrid program. He experienced the sensation of riding a centrifuge and multi-axis trainer, and sat behind the controls of a F/-18 simulator. He hasn't decided on a career path yet, but being an astronaut is on his list along with pilot, architect or psychologist like his dad. Paul Solomon, 15, has known for quite a while that he wants to attend the Air Force Academy and become an F-22 pilot. So, he jumped at the chance to apply for the Teen Aviation Camp held at the academy for Air Force dependents entering their sophomore or junior year in high school; and was very excited when he was selected. Attendees were chosen based on their grades, community service, participation in sports and clubs, and a written submission on why they wanted to become an Air Force officer. Paul is the son of Lt. Col. Scott and Devalynn Solomon, 333rd Training Squadron commander. Paul, a sophomore at Biloxi High School, runs track, is a second-degree black belt in taekwondo, plays piano and is a member of the band. He's active in the International Club and is a member of Fellowship Christian Athletes. He volunteers at the thrift shop and mows grass for families of deployed troops. While at the camp, he and his fellow campers, some from as far away as Tokyo and Italy, were conducted on a tour of the academy and met several instructors. Special events included a walk between the insulation and a test rocket where they encountered complete silence, demonstrating their skills on a rope course, bowling, playing laser tag and a dance party. Disappointingly, the scheduled glider flights were cancelled due to bad weather. Paul left his one-week stay at the academy with unforgettable memories, 34 new friends and an even greater desire to attend the academy.