Help Junior Rocketeer Kelsey Launch Her STEM Dreams!

Donation is tax deductible! See bottom after reading from Kelsey!

After putting in hard work from her local 4H all the way up to competing at national events, Kelsey Ellison, from Geneva, Nebraska, was awarded a spot on the National Junior Model Rocketry Team and is now focused on traveling with the team to represent the US at the World Spacemodeling Championship (WSMC) in Zrenjanin, Serbia, from August 21-28, 2025.

From Kelsey:

"I was given the opportunity to fund raise as a test case under National Association of Rocketry that manages the team. If I'm successful at funding my trip through donations, they will hire an additional volunteer/employee whichever that can be obtained to provide this to all of our youth on the Team for future years. This is a wonderful honor and huge responsibility. I want the sport to be open to any of our local youth regardless of income and to youth nationally. This is how I make this possible. Thank you for your consideration. I know its a tough decision because it feels like it's going to an individual, but it's really investing In a Fillmore County kid that will be helping many more youth be able to Dream Big!"

Kelsey

Here's more Kelsey has shared about her journey..

"For the last year and a half I've been being mentored by The Heartland Organization of Rocketry of Omaha, Coach Steve Kristal of the Team USA rocketry teams, and Tim Vanmilligan of Apogee Components who also worked on the shuttle program. They have taught me how to fly 9 different types of competition rocketry that the team competes in internationally. I worked on all 9 types of rockets which included getting the right materials, building the rockets, and doing numerous practice flights.

I then had to learn how to launch and compete without help since adults are not allowed on the flight lanes. This was difficult at first. The flying I do with the club is in a group with support.

I attended monthly team meetings via zoom as well as mentor zoom meetings which got me ready for the flyoffs. I learned how to hand make special lightweight rockets that are so light that if you squeeze them they will smash. I never would have guessed they would. I have a special glider that is rocket propelled then remote controlled flight is used to stay in the air and then land. It was made in Europe and is the last one available because of the war. It's special carbon fiber and super light. It was shipped out of England to my mentor Brian Muzek in Alabama. I received it in person at the flyoffs.

My parents then signed me up and we traveled as a family to Pueblo Colorado to NARAM 65/North Coast Cup Event to participate in the flyoffs to compete for spots on the team. Team China, Team Spain and members from Team Canada attended the event as well, giving me time to get to know international contestants.

I competed in 6 of the 9 classes of Rocketry. I had built and practiced all 9 types but timing made it so I had to choose which to participate in. I stood for 2 and ½ days from 7am to 5pm in 100 degree heat and no shade. Starting at 8am I flew every hour on the hour until 5pm with ½ hour lunch break. There were 3 rounds per event. My highest was 3rd place medal in s5 which is altitude and quality of build to scale. I built a Canadian sounding rocket, the Black Brandt III. This rocket still gets used in experiments to this day by the military. I received 4th place in Gyrocopter or Helicopter in the USA. There were 68 youth toal that flew in the varying categories. All other categories I was mid pack. For my first year of flying I was proud I could even be competitive. I never looked at the scores until the flying was over to just focus on my job…flying.

The Team USA Committee met and out of the 40 American youth that flew 29 youth made the Team. There are only 5 females that made the team. I am proud to say I am one of them."

Breakdown of Costs:

Passport- full and card x 2 $370.00

Initial Deposit for Team $300.00

Uniform - 7 shirts coat hat 7 khaki pants $650.00

1 Required adult Delegate traveler $1600.00

(Included in delegate cost room and transportation with team to and from field)

2 flights ( youth and delegate) plus food not provided $4000.00

2 Pelican cases to travel with rocketry equipment $1000.00

Rocket supplies to compete $1500.00

1 Practice Trips- Rocket supplies used to practice/registration and license fees - to Genesee New York $2000

Total trip requirements $11,420.00

Total Donation tax deductible under:

National Association of Rocketry EIN 13-6165575

All Donation totals will be provided to Steve Kristal of the National Association of Rocketry to go towards Kelsey's goal of proving her ability to raise funds.