WATCH THE SEGMENT HERE:
On Wednesday, November 13, 2024, 9NEWS Reporter Evan Kruegel, covered the story of Sarah Gillis’ triumphant return to her alma mater for the afternoon Denver News! Sarah graduated from Shining Mountain Waldorf School in 2012, then attended CU Boulder and went on to an incredible career in space engineering and, most recently, as a history-making astronaut on SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn Mission.
Sarah recently made headlines by traveling farther from Earth than any other woman in history during a Space-X mission. She also made history by becoming the first human to play the violin in space—a beautiful fusion of her scientific and musical passions. Now back on solid ground, Sarah took the time to inspire a new generation of Shining Mountain students, encouraging them to dream big and reach for the stars.
“It’s here at Shining Mountain that the spark was lit for me,” Sarah said, emphasizing that every student has the potential to turn their dreams into reality. Her message was clear: nothing is impossible if you dare to dream big.
Among the highlights of Sarah’s mission was her historic violin performance in orbit, a powerful reminder that even in the most advanced environments, there’s room for the beauty of human expression. Her passion for blending science and the arts resonated deeply with the students, who now pass by her portrait displayed proudly at the school’s entrance—a beacon of inspiration for all.
For more details and to watch the full story, check out the 9NEWS segment here.
Stay tuned as we continue to celebrate the achievements of our students and alumni who are making an impact both on Earth and beyond!
