From Not-So-Good Students To Most Accomplished Alumni: New Jersey School Renamed In Honor Of Identical-Twin NASA Astronauts Mark And Scott Kelly

The former school of the world's first and only identical-twin NASA astronaut brothers, Mark and Scott Kelly, has acknowledged their remarkable achievements by taking their name. The New Jersey school, formerly known as Pleasantdale Elementary School in West Orange, will now be called Kelly Elementary School.

Mark And Scott Kelly Are An Inspiration To The Children

NBC New York reports that Pleasantdale Elementary School was officially renamed Kelly Elementary School in a ceremony last Thursday. The move was the school's way of honoring two of its most accomplished alumni, Mark and Scott Kelly, who created history in their chosen field.

"As a community and as parents we are reminded of the truly unlimited possibilities that exist within the hallways of our schools for our children," West Orange Mayor Robert Parisi said during the Thursday ceremony. "Today, we thank the Kelly brothers for reminding our children to reach for their dreams."

Mark Kelly is considered as one of America's most experienced pilots. He retired from NASA in 2011 after completing four missions on the space shuttle. Moreover, Scott Kelly also announced his retirement last April, shortly after he returned from the 340-day mission at the International Space Station, the longest unbroken spaceflight by an American.

From Not-So-Good Students To Most Accomplished Alumni

Mark Kelly, who spoke during the event alongside with Scott Kelly, joked that they were not-so-good students then. He said that he was not even good when he started his training as a pilot.

Mark Kelly recalled one of his instructors asking him if he was sure about becoming a pilot because he was not very good at it. He added that he used the experience to push himself in trying harder and in overcoming the "serious lack of aptitude."

"The guys that did really well that day didn't go on to become test pilots or astronauts. But the guy that really struggled that day - me - did. How good you are at the beginning of anything you try is not a good indicator of how good you can become," he stated.

According to US News, Mark and Scott Kelly grew up and attended public schools in West Orange. They went to Pleasantdale Elementary School, Roosevelt Middle School and Mountain High School before attending college. They started their astronaut training at NASA in 1996 after serving as pilots in the U.S. Navy.

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