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‘Inspiring’ girl says persistence got her closer to NASA dream

Jayda, 12, prepares to go to prestigious space camp on scholarship

PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – Jayda Washington’s persistence paid off. She is taking a step closer to her dream of becoming a software engineer to help NASA get people to Mars.

It took the 12-year-old girl two applications to receive a scholarship to go to the Space Academy Robotics at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. She is preparing for the trip this summer.

“I am just proud of my self that I didn’t give up at the first try,” she said.

Jayda’s mother, Anne Jeannette Washington Collins, said her daughter is inspiring. She is always learning from her little girl, whose bedroom is full of encouraging quotes.

“She has really taught me what the words ‘faith’ and 'miracles’ put together can bring," the proud mother said.


About the Author
Jenise Fernandez headshot

Jenise Fernandez joined the Local 10 News team in November 2014. She is thrilled to be back home reporting for the station she grew up watching. Jenise, who is from Miami and graduated from Florida International University, also interned at Local 10 while she was in college.

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