During the Pass the Torch/Light and Truth Leadership Ceremony on June 2, Dr. Tracy Russell was formally recognized for being named both the Air Force Association (AFA) McChord Field Chapter and Washington State AFA Teacher of the Year! Thank you to our special guests, Andrew Hockman, McChord Field Chapter President and Rich Wendt, VP of Aerospace Education McChord Field Chapter, for presenting this honor to Dr. Russell!

In addition to her duties as a science teacher, Dr. Russell moderates the StellarXplorers program, a STEM-focused National Space Design Competition. The JPII StellarXplorers team received recognition for exemplary performance in the AFA’s StellarXplorers Space Competition, placing 11th of 212 teams nationwide in 2021.