LEXINGTON COUNTY, SC -- A big welcome to one of the Midlands' well-traveled heroes... Major General Charles Bolden is a former astronaut who knows what it means to reach for the stars -- literally.
The young people at Carolina Springs Middle School are excited.
Sixth Grader Eric McIlwain says, "It was pretty cool because he been to outer space, and he's able to explain to us how it looked and what it feels to be in outer space."
Sixth Grader Ebony Romero says, "I was like really excited to meet someone that's actually been in space. I got the idea -- Maybe I want to be an astronaut."
General Bolden wants to reach young students and explain to them the importance of never giving up their highest dreams.
"For me, it's always a learning experience to come into an environment like this, visiting a school, because you can see... The kids have a ton of questions, and it's always encouraging because they still have an interest in exploring."
Now, Sixth Grader Donovan McDonald feels he can achieve something he's always wanted to do.
"Most people think because I'm short that I'm never going to be doing a lot of sports and stuff, but I'm going to try out for the football team next year, and I'm not going to give up at all.
It seems like new dreams are launching at Carolina Springs Middle School.