Dunbar seniors are planning a variety of activities this summer. From taking a road trip to working at NASA, students have many pre-college and post-high school plans. Here are a few seniors whose summer activities stand out.

            Yohanna Hanna is going to work for NASA this summer. The senior, who is interested in jet propulsion, is traveling to the Lindley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia for an eight week paid internship.

The INSPIRE program, according to the NASA website, is a program designed “to encourage high school students… to pursue education and careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM.” Each year, INSPIRE offers “an eight-week intern experience” to high school graduates who are planning to major in a STEM field. The students will be provided with NASA mentors and facilities.

“I applied online,” Hanna said about his own experience. “Anyone can do it.”

Hanna, who did his MSTC senior research project on the motion of remote-control helicopters, is especially interested in jet propulsion. “It’s kind of a big deal,” he said. “I’m excited because it’s NASA.”

In the fall, Hanna plans on attending Northwestern University. While attending school, he hopes to co-op with NASA, and experience that could help him get a foot in the door for a career at NASA. “I want to be an aerospace engineer,” said Hanna about his future in science. “It would give me an edge on that.”

            Kyle Beverly, a Dunbar senior, is planning on taking a road trip this summer. “I’m going to hit the road with a couple friends,” said Beverly. “We’re going to the beach!”

Beverly, who will be accompanied by friends Jorge ­­­Montalvo and Sadie Peña, plans on driving to Florida to visit friends in the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area. He wants to “experience the summer life,” hopefully visiting the Florida beach and soaking up some sun before returning to Kentucky.

“It was actually Sadie’s idea,” he said. “And it was a good one.”

When Beverly returns from his road trip, he plans to find a summer job and, in the fall, to attend the University of Kentucky and major in mechanical engineering.

            One Dunbar senior plans on going global this summer. Daisy Allen, a future Loyola University New Orleans student, is going to pack her summer with as much travel experience as possible.

“I’m going to Germany, South Africa, and California,” said Allen. “It’s going to be lots of fun.”

But beside the fun is a learning experience. When Allen travels to Germany, she will be on her own—the first time she has been out of the country without traveling companions. “I feel all grown-up,” she said.

In addition to her newfound independence, Allen will be in a country where she doesn’t speak the language. “I don’t speak German, but it’s going to be a new experience,” Allen said.

Her trip to South Africa is a mission trip, rounding off her learning experiences this summer. After her travels abroad, Allen will head to California for her aunt’s wedding, then to New Orleans for college. “I also have an amateur boxing tournament this summer,” she said while summing up her plans. “It’s going to be a busy few months, but I’m excited.”

            Katie Bosomworth will prepare for a career in theatre by attending the Kentucky Classical Theatre Conservatory, a three-week summer camp, this year. The camp, which is held in UK’s Guignol Theatre each year, will feature classes in acting, stage combat, and even clown work.

“They really teach you what it takes to be in theatre,” said Bosomworth. “I’ve been doing it since before freshman year…It’s a lot of fun.” She is most excited for the clown work, which will be a new experience for her.

Classes at the Conservatory will last three weeks, and at the conclusion of the camp, the participants hold a showcase, performing scenes and stage combat pieces for family and friends.

But the Conservatory is not the only activity Bosomworth has planned for the summer. She plans to travel to Canada to visit relatives, and to participate in a local theatre festival featuring plays by Shakespeare and Ahrens. Bosomworth is still undecided as to which college she will attend in the fall, but she hopes to study technical theatre.