SIXTH formers at the Corporate Area-based Ardenne High School were on Wednesday encouraged to embrace new frontiers as Caribbean people by the region’s first traveller into space, Keisha Schahaff.

A few months ago, Schahaff and her daughter, Ana Mayers, 18, broke new frontiers in human endeavour by becoming the first Caribbean people and two of very few black women to travel into space.

That trip was facilitated by a competition with Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic space programme. After Schahaff and her daughter travelled into space and returned safely to earth, the trip became a moment of tremendous pride for her home country Antigua and Barbuda and both ladies became instant media magnets, appearing on all major American networks to discuss this most unusual voyage.

Schahaff was the guest speaker at Ardenne’s Distinguished Lecture Series where students got the opportunity to interface with local and international luminaries.

Apart from her passionate interest in space and aviation, Schahaff also wears a number of other caps. She is also a professional heath and wellness coach.

While in Jamaica, Schahaff was scheduled to spend a day in Trench Town hosted by Dr Henley Morgan. She will also get some beach time on Jamaica’s north coast.

Her trip was made possible through the efforts of Ardenne past student Dave Rodney and Ardenne High School, Caribbean Airlines, Jamaica Tourist Board, Altamont Hotel, and Couples Resorts.