A new light star
An image of a remembered Face
That time could not erase..
Remember that Cold January Eve
The flooding of tears
Our world did shake
It would not break...
Oh what a horrible sight
The flashes against our inner eyes
They were gone in an instant
They were gone in a flash
We knew that they couldnt come back
A new beginning
An open heart
A glow of seven stars...
I just wanted to say "Thank You!!" for making this incredible documentary about such an inspiring, beautiful woman. I will never forget where I was the day the Challenger fell from the sky, and I will never forget how it made me feel or how it has affected my life so deeply. I have read and learned as much about her as I possibly could, and to actually hear her say the things I have read about is truly amazing. I am so thankful that there are others out there who share my interest in keeping her spirit and dream alive today. It was also so interesting to hear from her family and friends, it really made you get to know her even more. Thank you so much for taking your time to make this movie, it was beautifully done and I would love to see a sequel to find out even more about her!
Dear Renee and Mary Jo:
I cannot express what a wonderful documentary you produced and directed about Christa McAuliffe. I sit here a man of 30 years, but I remember that day in 1986 for me - in third grade - knowing there was something lost to me and so many others. Why Christa's story has eluded the life you gave it for so long is a lamentable mystery, but in many ways you brought her back and re-introduced her to a whole new generation. I am now a teacher myself... not necessarily inspired to do so by Christa's legacy, but she has always been an inspiration in my life since her loss. Again, the documentary is phenomenal and I praise you for your tireless efforts. I strongly encourage you - plead with you - to release and extended version featuring more of the 75 hour of footage you obtained so I, my students, and our communities can learn more about the wonderful pioneer. You yourselves became pioneers in telling her story, and your remarkable efforts are to be forever commended and celebrated. From the bottom of my heart, and from the boy I was on that cold January day in 1986, I thank you.
Sincerely and Respectfully,
Dear Ms. Sotile and Ms. Godges,
Hello! My name is Carolyn McGrath, and I have been wanting to write to you for a very long time. I graduated from Framingham State College this past May (at age 35 and with a 3.90 GPA!), and was a Christa Corrigan McAuliffe Scholar. Receiving that scholarship was one of the greatest honors of my life, and the night I met Mrs. Corrigan is one that I will never, ever forget (I still get choked up just thinking about it). I first saw "Reach for the Stars" at a public showing at FSC in January of 2006. Your documentary moved me to tears, and inspired me more than words can say. I was a freshman in high school in 1986 and remember the Challenger disaster quite vividly. Little did I know that twenty years later, I would be chosen to receive a scholarship in her name. At the time, I never would have imagined that I would ever be capable of achieving anything so great or so special. This summer, I passed the two required tests and became a licensed teacher in Massachusetts. Not only that, I started teaching in September (graphic arts - middle school). I love being in the classroom and watching the kids learn. I love watching them grow. And I love being the one who tells them that they CAN when they think they can't (and the best part is how proud they are when they realize that they really CAN!). When I was back visiting FSC this summer, I happened to notice a newspaper article on the wall about both of you. It mentioned you had been trying to contact Oprah to do a show about Christa. I think it's a fantastic idea, and would love to help out in some way. Shortly after I saw "Reach for the Stars" for the first time, I bought the DVD for myself, and have watched it many times since. I have also lent it to many people - all of whom have enjoyed it very, very much. So thank you for doing such a wonderful job and for keeping Christa's mission alive. I can only hope that I will be as an effective teacher as she was and that my students will all want to "Reach for the Stars" themselves.
Best to you both always,
Oh the sweet Gods have shined their faces again. Hooray and some. I hope you two are smiling and rewarding yourselves. Your love of the woman, the person that Christa was is now in a visual format that documents exactly that and at Walmart…what would she think of such a marvelous thing! Hugs, Malinda
Malinda Herr-Chambliss
HSDFI Executive Director
Hot Springs Documentary Film Institute
"To me personally, it (the film) is a treasure and has brought me healing and closure."
"This is a film about the whole family and it brought us all together. It was tough to watch, I cried and cried but in the end it gave me strength."
Congratulations!! Just saw the CNN Special! What a great work of art! Wow!!! I'm ever so proud of you!!!
Lots of love,
Dear Renee & Mary Jo,
What a wonderful tribute to an amazing woman. The access you got to Christa's loving family was amazing. The film was beautifully structured and never faltered in it's honesty and humanity. Carly Simon's music beautifully punctuated a meaningful film about a woman whom left us too early.
Kind Regards,
It was wonderful, just as I had expected your work would be. Keep up the great work! I know you will! :) --