Tag Archives: space conference

My Summer Recap + Last Fall Semester… (as a Master’s Student)

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Hey again! I am back with more GREATNESS!

If you follow my blog, you would have remembered I had a calendar full of plans this summer, including my wedding. Well, I am here to say everything panned out even better than I could have imagined. And to top it off, I graduate next May!

I married my husband in July, surrounded by so much love, support, and so many smiling faces. People traveled from many different states, counties, and even just up the road to come watch us get married. Our hearts were so full that day, and it was easily one of the best days of our lives.

Several connections and good friends that I made at Embry-Riddle I am still in contact with to this day and were even at our wedding. One of them is a team member from a research project that I led. Another is a family of a faculty member and told me our wedding was beautiful, and it felt like a “mini vacation.” My team member said it was a nice break away from her thesis. I am so glad I made these deep connections from my home away from home and alma mater.

Remember that “perfect princess wedding dress” I mentioned in my last blog post? Well, here it is!

It is a Maggie Sottero design and it is truly the dress of my dreams. I am proud to reintroduce myself as Mrs. Christine Sessions!

In addition to our wedding, we traveled to Hawaii for our honeymoon. Whoever told me “Hawaii is just like Florida” was so wrong! Hawaii is beautiful (not humid), mostly untouched by humans, and (something I did not know) possesses 11 out of 13 of the major biomes on the planet, all except tundra and desert. We went snorkeling, saw the Captain Cooke monument, swan under waterfalls, climbed mountains, and even got to see the Milky Way galaxy with our naked eyes.

It was a life-changing experience – not just seeing the galaxy, but coming to Hawaii. It put into perspective for me my own life, our life as a married couple, school, work, and even motivated me even more that I already am to help our planet and become a better person each day. The culture in Hawaii has opened my eyes and made me want to learn more about other regions. I came home that following week with a thirst for knowledge, a drive for change, and a fighting spirit to work on my business model idea and to start making the world a better place. Why can’t we all live like Hawaiians?

Of course after our spectacular wedding and Hawaiian vacation, I had to get right back to working on research. The annual SmallSat conference and our next big meeting for UNP was taking place in Salt Lake City at the beginning of August and I attended with some of my project team members. It was a beautiful city and great opportunity to network (as is any conference). Embry-Riddle had a booth where we presented our project and received valuable feedback from others. The architecture downtown was so different and the food was incredible.

I have traveled so much this year so far. I forgot how much I love flying. I am grateful for the opportunity to go on these trips and vacations, and so grateful to have views like this.

I didn’t forget to spend time enjoying the things I love too. Family, friends, nature, and having fun the weekends – all parts of a healthy and balanced life.

There are two new places that I recently discovered in Daytona Beach / Port Orange. Cousin Johnny’s Icecream Shop just opened – it is so simple, yet so good. This is really a quality over quantity, family-owned shop. This other place on beach side called Zugba Cafe has gluten-free options which I am always excited about. I had a breakfast sandwich on a house-made everything bagel that was gluten-free. The cost was a bit high, but it was one of the best breakfasts I had in a while. I love leaving helpful Google/Yelp reviews on places that I love. They are always seen by tourists that come to town!

I recently got the opportunity to speak at my old middle school on behalf of the Women in Aviation Daytona Beach chapter. I spoke about my journey—from middle school to graduate school—and about the world of aerospace and aviation.

What made the experience even more meaningful was returning to the same place that shaped me. Sitting in those classroom seats 13 years ago, I never imagined I’d one day come back to inspire the next generation, speaking to students who are now where I once was. It was surreal, and it awakened something in me that I didn’t even know was there.

A huge part of my story goes back to my time at Atlantic High School’s Academy of Technology Engineering Science and Aerospace (TESA). Being able to take ground school classes and fly drones while still in high school gave me a head start in aviation and shaped me into the person I am today. The professors and faculty I met through TESA not only inspired me then, but many of those connections have stayed with me and continue to support me to this very day.

I walked away with a newfound respect for educators and teachers—it truly takes an army to inspire and guide young minds, and it reminded me of the power of education to change lives. I’m deeply grateful for the chance to give back and hopefully spark curiosity in the students who might one day be the future of aerospace, aviation, and beyond. I am happy I had the chance to play even a small role in this process.

That’s all for now, believe it or not. Ciao for now until my next adventure!

My February : SpaceCom 2024 + Valentine’s Day

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It has been so hectic already this year and it is only February. We found a leak underground at our house and needed plumbers to come in to dig up the floor, we had 2 family emergencies this year, and the Jaguars won’t be going to the Superbowl! Okay, that last one really isn’t terrible, but still! On the bright side, school has been going very well. I got the wonderful opportunity from our faculty advisor at Society of Women in Space Exploration (SWISE) to volunteer at a Space conference in Orlando, Florida called SpaceCom 2024 & The 50th Space Congress! I had such a great time both days of the conference. Some other SWISE members signed up to volunteer as well, and we all had a great experience!

The conference was held at the Orange County Convention Center. It was a huge place, but perfect for a conference! The walk from the parking lot to the convention hall was 15 minutes.

There was also an expo/ job fair going on there where I got to meet so many recruiters, companies, and officials. I even got a t-shirt from the Italian Trade Agency. It was nice to see my ancestor’s origin country so involved in the space industry!

I forgot how many benefits there are to getting up early: good lighting, fresh coffee, and best of all, a beautiful sunrise! I was up each morning at 5 a.m. to get ready, grab gas, grab coffee, and pick up some students from school to carpool. It was a clear, beautiful morning each day we went and seeing the sunrise alone was worth it!

The conference was a great time. This year, I will be attending at least 2 conferences, with the second coming up in March. I am so excited to be attending the Women in Aviation conference with Gaetz Aerospace Institute! This year must be my year of opportunities, because they just keep coming!

SWISE had the opportunity to feature Mrs. Samantha Bowyer as a guest speaker at our most recent general club meeting. She is a CFII and works at Embry-Riddle in the Aeronautical Sciences department teaching flight. I have known her for 9 years now: she used to be my teacher in high school when I was in the Technology Engineering Science and Aviation (TESA) Academy at Atlantic High School! It was so wonderful to see her again and catch up. I am glad I reached out to her to come speak at SWISE!

I love this time of year for its spring temperatures, beautiful flowers, spring break, Mardi Gras, and Girl Scout cookies! Cookie season has always been important to me: when I was a Girl Scout and even as an adult. I always supported my local troop and the girls by purchasing cookies! They now have gluten-free cookies for Celiacs like me – what a time to be alive. I always buy for family and friends too, especially if they don’t have access to any cookie booths.

Speaking of Girl Scouts, I am signed up to run the annual Trefoil 5K in Orlando next month! I will be going with some friends, and even some SWISE members if they want to sign up too! The 5K registration includes a t-shirt and a finisher medal (which I collect).

For Valentine’s Day this year, my fiance and I decided to celebrate the weekend before, since we both have things going on on the 14th. He surprised me with a steakhouse dinner on the water and some beautiful flowers. We celebrated in the city of Jacksonville and it was a wonderful time.

And finally I have some good news this year that is coming soon, so stay tuned!

Ciao for now!

First Week Back to School!

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“So, do you have any plans for the Fall semester?”

“I am graduating!”

I found myself talking to many friends, family, and co-workers about my plans for Fall. I told many that I currently have 4 jobs now. I told others that I am taking five classes. I told some that I am graduating in December. Many I told all 3 of those things.

I knew this was going to be a busy semester and I was looking forward to it. I am taking 5 Spaceflight Operations courses, I am currently serving as the President of SWISE (Society of Women in Space Exploration) and the Vice President of SSPOC (Spaceflight Sciences Policy and Operations Club). We have so many exciting events planned this semester and will get to go to SpaceVision 2022 in Chicago this year! SpaceVision is a conference held annually that allows students and professionals to learn, network, and grow their teams or potentially land an interview for a company! In addition to my 5 classes, I am working 4 jobs. Waitressing, office work, blogging, and being a flight controller all at the same time is hard to balance! Life is a balancing act though and to succeed, you have to find the time and focus.

I believe mental health is a huge deal, and especially this semester I have been focusing on it more than ever. Balancing life present day is hard for everyone! I always make time for myself to wind down, relax, and do something nice for me and my body. Now that the new Fitness Center that just opened on campus, I can spend some time in the mornings doing my stretches and workouts. The pool is another great feature students can use to relax and go for a morning (or evening) swim. Also, they have classes you can take that are usually held upstairs in one of the studios. The cycling class looks pretty fun to try.

These first few weeks have been great! I am currently searching for a new executive team for the SWISE to help run the club through our social media page, I already purchased my textbooks, organized my planner, mapped out my classes, and attended the first SSPOC meeting which turned out to be so fulfilling. We had about 50 members show up (new and old!).

I found time to spend outside of school the last few weeks too. I spent time with family and loved ones, had a cookout on Labor Day, and even tried a new combination of my two favorite Italian ice flavors (cotton candy and blueberry) at Jeremiah’s Italian Ice at OneDaytona! I recommend this place to any Riddle student looking to have fun, make new friends, and have some great ice cream. We always make new friends at this spot and it is always busy at night bustling with music, lights, and gelati-lovers.

Although I am graduating, this won’t be my last semester here. I am currently applying to the M.S. in Systems Engineering at the Daytona Beach campus! I am so grateful I get to continue my education here at Embry-Riddle. I can’t wait to see what else this semester brings! Until next time!