MCHS Bobcat Planetarium Restoration
In 1969, McNairy Central High School was built. It was one of the most technologically innovative schools of its time, possessing a nine meter planetarium facility in the middle of “C Pod,” one of its circular hallways. This unique feature was used to provide space science education to thousands of McNairy county students and citizens.
Many of the residents of Selmer fondly remember elementary school fieldtrips to MCHS where they watched the large star projector rise out of a tunnel in the floor. Once the projector was fully in place, the massive nine foot machine would brightly project the constellations across a curved ceiling.
The machinery fell into disrepair in the early 1990’s and the mechanics in the room were discarded. Classroom “C6” sat dormant for nearly 25 years.
You may have followed the updates last year as 2016 MCHS graduate Allie Ray worked to initiate this restoration project. Within the school year last year, Allie was able to raise over $15,000 through GoFundMe and community support. With a large portion of this money, the facility received a professional cleaning of the dome ceiling, new floor tiles, new ceiling tiles, fresh paint, new doors and locks, new lighted exit signs, as well as the installation of special lighting and chalkboards. In short, the facility went from a dimly lit storage room back to a functional classroom in a matter of months.
Allie attempted the task of writing a grant for the purchase of the bigger items necessary to make the classroom a planetarium again. Her efforts were not rewarded with grant money, but the restoration efforts didn't stop.
In the second year of restoration, Trase Jester (class of 2017) took the opportunity to pick up where Allie left off upon her graduation in May. Trase faced the challenge of keeping the project alive and progressing. With each remaining item for the planetarium costing $10,000+, he knew he had a lot of work to do.
Trase designed and sold almost 200 “Dream Big” t-shirts to spread awareness of the restoration. He took the initiative to plan and host his own fundraiser event, a successful and well-attended dance for area teens. He also wrote a grant which provided $500 to the restoration. Through all his hard work and dedication, he contributed near $5,000 to the project. Trase graduated in May with plans to attend UTK in the fall.
As the 2017 school year gets underway, a new senior has undertaken the restoration project. Layla is our newest member of the planetarium restoration family.
This project will bring Layla one step closer to her graduation. As part of MCHS graduation requirements, seniors must complete a senior project. Students are encouraged to learn a new skill or to provide some type of community service. This school year, Layla will be writing grants, promoting awareness of the restoration, and raising funds.
Help Layla continue this restoration and let’s get this community asset functioning again. Please subscribe to updates on the GoFundMe page so that you can keep up with Layla's successes this year.
Feel free to “share” any updates on Facebook! We’re looking to spread the word to as many people as possible.
If this facility had a positive impact on your education or you would like to see its positive impact on our community, click that “donate” button!
Thank you in advance!
Sarah Allison
(Layla's mentor)
