Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Astronaut Payette represents spirit of Balmoral's 'Yes She Can' award

STUDENTS at Balmoral Hall School are preparing for an out-of-this-world experience next week.

Julie Payette, a veteran of two space shuttle voyages, will receive the school's "Yes She Can" award at a gala dinner Monday, May 3 at the Fairmont Winnipeg.

Tina Alto, executive director of institutional advancement at the private girls' school, said Payette, who has logged more than 600 hours in space, was selected because she is a role model with an inspirational message.

"The award is meant to encourage young women to have confidence in themselves and decide they can be anything they want to be if they put their minds to it. Julie's career has definitely shown that spirit," Alto said.

In 1992, the Canadian Space Agency selected Payette from more than 5,300 applications to fill one of four astronaut positions. Seven years later, aboard the space shuttle Discovery, she was the first Canadian to participate in an International Space Station assembly mission.

In 2009, as the flight engineer aboard the space shuttle Endeavour, she operated all three robotic arms on a mission that featured a record 13 astronauts from five different nations.

The public can purchase individual tickets for the dinner for $200 or tables of 10 for $1,750.

-- Staff

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition April 29, 2010 B4

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