Hannah Styles
hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com
Kierra Shook, 2020 graduate of Swain County High School and a sophomore at NC State University, will be moving onto the second round of the interview process for an internship with The National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
She is in the top three of being chosen for the position with NASA.
“I have always been fascinated by the stars and astronomy. I grew up sitting in the grass with a telescope. I’m only 19, and I’ve gone through about 20 telescopes in my life,” Kierra Shook laughed.
It’s not an easy task landing a highly coveted NASA internship, but according to their website you should begin preparing early, like Shook.
She has participated in many clubs and extracurricular activities, makes excellent grades and has a passion for space, making her an ideal candidate.
An avid athlete in high school playing volleyball, basketball and softball, she went on to join the Liquid Rocketry Club and High-Power Rocketry Team as well as Women in Science and Engineering at NC State.
Shook’s friend recommended that she apply for the internship.
“I had a friend reach out, who knew how much I love all things space, who had previously interned with NASA and gave me a connection. I sent my resume and transcript to the connection, and they moved me straight into the interview process,” Shook said.
If selected for the internship, Shook would travel to Houston, Texas in the Spring of 2022, where she would be working with lithium batteries, testing to prevent rockets from exploding. Her experience in engineering, robotics, and coding will greatly benefit her.
Shook says it is her dream to go to space and be a female astronaut. She said growing up people would laugh when she told them she wanted to be the first female astronaut. “Females don’t become astronauts,” they said. And she said, “We’ll see.” Kierra is about to show those doubters, because she’s certainly on the right track.
Her advice to young girls, especially from a small town like her is don’t let anyone drive you away from what you're passionate about.
“Don’t be nervous to apply for a position or internship. The world is your oyster, and you can be the pearl, you can be whatever you want to be. Work hard, be a good person, and never give up,” Shook said.
Kierra is proving to women everywhere; the sky is not the limit.