On a Cosmic Stage

EMS ISD graduates Win International Space Settlement

Design Competition at NASA

The clock ticked past midnight, and in a bustling room at NASA, dozens of high school students from around the world huddled over laptops, whiteboards filled with equations and sketches of futuristic cities floating in orbit. Amid the hum of brainstorming, keyboard clacks and whispered debates, two 2025 graduates from Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD stood out: Sereniti Wilson of Boswell High School and Jackson Dieckman of Chisholm Trail High School, both who took Aerospace Engineering courses at Hollenstein Career & Technology Center (HCTC). Together with their international teammates, they were on a mission to design a space settlement capable of supporting 20,000 people, and by morning, their company, Vulture Aviation, would claim first place at the 2025 International Space Settlement Design Competition (ISSDC).

For Wilson, the intense, 48-hour challenge was a masterclass in leadership
and collaboration. 

“I’ve learned the importance of acknowledging everyone’s ideas and providing encouragement under stress,” she said. “It’s crucial for each team member to understand the purpose of a task and how it will be executed.”

The competition pushed students to
the limits. Sleep deprivation, high stakes, and looming deadlines created
tense moments. 

“Getting closer to the submission deadline, many of us had disagreements that weren’t resolved because we were exhausted,” Wilson said. “Our president made sure we rested, and our directors met to address issues efficiently, keeping the team on track.”

Griffith, HCTC aerospace teacher
and long-time ISSDC advisor, described the competition as a real-world
aerospace simulation. 

“Students are immediately organized into corporations with presidents, vice presidents, and directors of engineering,” he explained. “They receive a Request for Proposal and have 24 hours to develop a complete settlement plan, including technical designs, cost analysis, and 

operational plans, just like in the industry.”

By the time Vulture Aviation presented their design, Wilson and Dieckman knew they had poured every ounce of their skills and creativity into the project. 

“Each individual had strengths that balanced another’s weakness,” Wilson said. “I knew deep in my heart that we could win. It was incredible to see all our efforts come together.”

Their success is rooted in years of preparation in EMS ISD’s aerospace program. “Because of Hollenstein, I gained hands-on experience that prepared me for real engineering challenges. I grew as a leader, improved my communication skills and expanded my knowledge of space exploration.”

Griffith credited both students’ dedication and curiosity. 

“They began with an interest in space, and my job was to guide them,” he said.  “Sereniti is now joining ROTC at TCU
to commission in the U.S. Space Force,
and Jackson is pursuing aerospace
engineering. They represent the very
best of their generation.”

In 11 years of participation, Griffith’s HCTC students have produced 46 national winners, more than any other school, yet this victory is historic. Wilson and Dieckman are only the second and third EMS ISD students to win at the international level.

For Wilson, the competition is only
the beginning. 

“I aspire to be a catalyst for aerospace 

innovation, to build technology that 

enhances space exploration, and to mentor future engineers,” she said. “This experience has confirmed that the sky isn’t the limit, it’s just the beginning.”