|
 Becoming
an astronaut has always been Norman High School graduate, Lisa
Billingsley's dream. So, when she found out that she wasn't physically
qualified to go into space, she changed her plans to the next
best thing going to work for NASA.
"Thanks to Moore Norman Technology Center, I was able to
explore options that would help me work toward a future with
NASA, as either an electrical or mechanical engineer," Billingsley
said.
She is currently an engineering student, on full scholarship,
attending the University of Tulsa. That's one reason Billingsley
is someone who can be described as a CareerTech Champion.
Champions are alumni of programs or student organizations of
Oklahoma's Career and Technology Education system who have found
success in a career path and attribute much of that success to
their CareerTech experience.
Billingsley was also Moore Norman's first National Merit Scholar
to enroll in a program, according to Diana Hartley, MNTC communications
and marketing director.
National Merit Scholars rank among the top students in the
nation and are selected by individual organizations and strict
criteria. The initial semi-finalist selection of one half of
one percent of the nation's students is based on the PSAT scores
received during the student's junior year of high school. After
that, finalists are chosen based on SAT scores, grade point average
and application for the National Merit Scholarship.
"I'd already completed most graduation requirements by my
senior year of high school, and wanted to take some electives,"
Billingsley said. "So, I enrolled in electronics and telecommunications
at Moore Norman."
Billingsley admits that because of the electronics/telecommunications
program, she discovered a preference that would save her time
in the long run. |
CareerTech Champion, Lisa Billingsley, also
reigns as 2001 State Trampoline Champion
|
 "One
of the most valuable lessons I learned there was that I liked
working with larger objects more than the smaller, electrical
ones," Billingsley said. "Now, I'm focused on mechanical
engineering. And, what I've learned at Moore Norman will be useful
in helping me understand the theory in mechanical engineering
courses at the University of Tulsa."
Billingsley progressed through her program at MNTC in record time, completing the two-year
program in one year, according to her Electronics/Telecommunications
Instructor Gene Prigmore.
"Lisa was an excellent example for her peers. She set the
standard for other students and was an outstanding representative
for Moore Norman," he said.
Billingsley gained from her experience,
as well. "I'm glad I decided to go to Moore Norman while
in high school," Billingsley said. "It's given me an
edge on my future career."
|
