The family requests that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made in honor of Quentins mother to the Jessie F. Richardson Foundation, 15900 S.E. "The latest is The Dinosaur Hunter, a mystery story set in Montana," Hickam says. Mine carpenter who gave the BCMA fine cut lumber and a box of nails. As O'Dell said in Rocket Boys, 'A rocket won't fly unless somebody lights the fuse.' [1] Today, it is one of the most often picked community/library reads in the United States. Sonny's mother is afraid that he will have to work in the mines after high school. ASME Membership (1 year) has been added to your cart. Roy Lee Cooke (born December 25, 1941) is an American who was a founding member of the Big Creek Missile Agency and one of the original Rocket Boys.His character in the Universal Pictures film October Sky was played by William Lee Scott. Quentin Wilson is an intelligent member of the Rocket Boys and the person who does the most math out of the entire group. Have you ever had to work with a group on a school project? And when it comes time to put that learning to the test and design a new type of rocket, Quentin supports Sonny while he works out the calculations and designs. Best summary PDF, themes, and quotes. The next, coming out in April, is Crater and the first of a Helium-3 trilogy set on the moon 120 years in the future. Well, that leaves Homer's father, Homer Sr. O'Dell. Background Wilson was born to Eston and Jessie Richardson Wilson, who had migrated to the West Virginia coalfields from subsistence farms in Carter County, Tennessee during the Great Depression. After Hickam and his friends won Gold at the 1960 National Science Fair, he went on to college and eventually, at the age of 38, joined NASA. Instant PDF downloads. His character in the Universal Pictures film "October Sky" was played by Chris Owen. Not affiliated with Harvard College. I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. (Note: In the book Rocket Boys, the main character is always called Sonny. October Sky is based on the book, The Rocket Boys, by Homer "Sonny" Hickam, Jr. His moving memoir, set in the 1950s, tells the story of six teenagers growing up in the West Virginia coal mining town of Coalwood. 2023 The American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Sign up for service and obituary updates. This page was last edited on 14 March 2021, at 14:17. Homer Hickam Jr., O'Dell Carroll, Roy Lee Cooke, Sherman Siers. While. Sonny teams up with Miss Reily, his teacher, and his friends, to make a rocket for the science fair, hoping to earn money. Weatherford Award in 1998, the year of its release. The son of a coal miner in West Virginia, Homer's life is colored black. [2] He came to Texas to find work in the oil business. "Rocket Boys Characters". Then you have the smart ones like Quentin Wilson in Homer Hickam's memoir October Sky. It's a film that tells the story of a teenager in a small coal mining town in West Virginia who has little chance to escape the minesuntil he finds a love and ability for rocketry. Why? Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. Active Themes Quentin tells Homer about the history of rockets: the Chinese invented them, and they were used in various 19th century wars. the inspirational physics and cemistry teacher who helped the Rocket Boys. Quentin Wilson is the BCMA's smart, thorough scientist. "Had they done so, they might have truly created a reusable spacecraft, which was the central idea for the program. The work at the mine is horrific, but honorable, and so Homer Jr, or Sonny as he is called, feels pressured into work in the mine. He came to Texas to find work in the oil business. An editor Of the movie and book, he says: "Most of them [students] enjoy both and they get the message, too. Quentin was born Nov. 21, 1942 in Warrior Mine, West Virginia to Eston and Jessie (nee Richardson) Wilson. This last act of background support helps . Wilson was born to Eston and Jessie Richardson Wilson, who had migrated to the West Virginia coalfields from subsistence farms in Carter County, Tennessee during the Great Depression. He attended and graduated from Big Creek High School, Warrior Mine, W. Virginia. After that, Sonny enlists the help of Quentin Wilson, Roy Lee Cooke, Sherman Siers, Jimmy "O'Dell" Carroll, and Billy Rose to help build rockets while forming the BCMA (Big Creek Missile Agency). Homer "Sonny" Hickam Jr. lives in a small coal mining town in West Virginia named Coalwood. Warriormine, West Virginia, McDowell County, United States of America. Sonny, however, is terrible at sports and has no special skill that would get him "out of Coalwood". Quentin makes this dream happen and goes on to become an engineer. August 30, 2019 (age 76) (Amarillo Texas). It's a film that tells the story of a teenager in a small coal mining town in West Virginia who has little chance to escape the minesuntil he finds a love and ability for rocketry. Inside, Sonny finds Homer saved Sonny's old awards and a nozzle from his rockets. Wilson attended Big Creek High School with Homer Hickam and the rest of the Rocket Boys. Create your account. You see, Quentin is very smart, which is why Sonny approaches him for help in building rockets in the first place. That's exactly what ends up happening with the Big Creek Missile Agency (BCMA). Though he and Sonny sometimes butt heads, they develop respect for each other. As Homer Hickam and I start working on this article, it's not all that far from 13 years to the day that October Sky premiered. His intelligence helps him in his role as the group's scientist; in this role, he insists on patiently testing every change, and says every test adds to their ''body of knowledge.'' Suite 3200 Inspired by the launch of Sputnik, they formed the BCMA - the big Creek Missile Agency - and began building rockets on their own. One of those important roles belongs to Quentin Wilson. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. Young Quentin was born Nov. 21, 1942 in Warrior Mine, West Virginia to Eston and Jessie (nee Richardson) Wilson. It is a story of growing up in a mining town, and a boy's pursuit of amateur rocketry in a coal mining town. Struggling with distance learning? But even if something doesn't work out as expected, they are still adding to what he calls their ''body of knowledge.''. Wilson has three daughters[1] and travels extensively speaking about the rocket boys' childhood. The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. Quentin knows ''success will get us noticed by someone.'' Quentin Wilson. Quentin was born Nov. 21, 1942 in Warrior Mine, West Virginia to Eston and Jessie (nee Richardson) Wilson. He Graduated from Marshall University with a Bachelor Degree in Chemistry, and did post graduate work at West TX State University. 4301 Darrow Road When Miss Riley gives Sonny a book to learn calculus, Quentin is right there to help him understand. But what goes into space shuttle design that many people don't realize? He was the Coalwood Mine's superintendent and a mining engineer until his retirement due to Black Lung disease. Help tell the story of your loved ones unique life. In real life, there were six in the group: Homer, Billy Rose, Quentin Wilson, Jimmy O'Dell Carroll, Roy Lee Cooke and Sherman Siers. A middle-aged woman and, its implied, Coalwoods resident prostitute, whom. I have been fortunate to have found two Tyrannosaur Rexes out of the 40 ever found. You can help out on the Wiki by expanding it. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. All rights reserved. I feel like its a lifeline. My students love how organized the handouts are and enjoy tracking the themes as a class., Requesting a new guide requires a free LitCharts account. The Coalwood doctor, an employee of the mining company. [2] The book was then re-published as October Sky shortly afterwards. The Question and Answer section for Rocket Boys is a great Big Creek Missile Agency He may be a loner when we first meet him, but Quentin proves to be a strong and supportive friend. He came to Texas to find work in the oil business.He settled in Amarillo in 1973 with Santa Fe Energy and now is an independent engineer married to Janice Birkholz. Quentin is portrayed by Chris Owen. Wilson attended Big Creek High School with Homer Hickam and the rest of the Rocket Boys.Together this group built several rockets and competed in a National Science Fair.After graduating from Big Creek, he attended Marshall College in Huntington, West Virginia graduating with a major in Chemistry. After attending Marshall College in Huntington, West Virginia, Quentin went on to become an engineer. Quentin Quotes in Rocket Boys Not only was Saturday the final Rocket Boys Festival, it was a day to honor Quentin Wilson, who passed away Aug. 30. Quentin was preceded in death by his parents Eston Wilson, and Jessie F. Richardson Wilson; Brother Richard Wilson, and sisters Eula Vee Wallace, Dona Sanders, and Bonnie Huckaby. Whether a test is a success or failure, he sees the glass as half full. All rights reserved. After you claim a section youll have 24 hours to send in a draft. 39 lessons. They launch a total of 35 rockets, all sequentially numbered Auk IXXXI. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 titles we cover. The Wilsons had eight children, four sons and four daughters. His character in the Universal Pictures film "October Sky" was played by Chris Owen. Aliases A member of the BCMA who joins later than his peers, An adventurous, flirtatious Big Creek High School student who often expresses her attraction to, A worker at the Coalwood machine store who provides. Too much time in weightlessness is bad for human health. Homer Hickam Jr. 's friend, and the treasurer of the BCMA, O'Dell is an intelligent young man. National Gallery for Americas Young Inventors, National Gallery for Americas Young Artists. All Rights Reserved. But he hates mining. He's often responsible for obtaining materials for the BCMA's rocket designs, and while his schemes often fail, he's responsible for many important rocket supplies. "Our rockets were quite a bit more sophisticated than shown in the movie. When they begin hanging out, Sonny's mom Elsie is quick to take Quentin under her wing. Stow, OH 44224. With our last designs, our rockets went supersonic within a half-second of ignition. October Sky was followed by The Coalwood Way (2000), Sky of Stone (2002), and Carrying Albert Home (2015). All these jobs required a range of engineering knowledge including systems engineering, operations research, computer design, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, materials, and so forth," he says. Quentin is survived by his wife Janice Knighton Birkholz, daughters Laura Wilson of Hillsboro, OR, Jocelyn (Jocie) Buchanan and husband Kent of Amarillo TX, and Heather Wilson Hillsboro, OR; a sister Dr. Keren Brown Wilson of Happy Valley, OR; and grandchildren Lance Corp. Emilio Buchanan USMC, and Justin Buchanan. Portrayed by Career You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. (including. Quentin is also the one who stays up and helps Sonny study all night the night before he leaves for the national science fair. He died in Amarillo Education He graduated from Marshall University and Big Creek High School What was Quentin's zodiac sign? Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. ", But despite this second career, Hickam will always have a passion for engineering and hopes the inspiring true story of the boys from Coalwood, West Virginia will continue to inspire. Quentin carries a suitcase stuffed with books wherever he goes and finds excuses to get out of gym class. But, eventually, the town comes out to celebrate one last rocket launch, and Homer Sr arrives, proud of his son's accomplishment. Just like Sonny, Quentin dreams of working with NASA someday. They call themselves "Rocket Boys" and call the place where they are launching their rockets "Cape Coalwood", in honor of Cape Canaveral. This article is a stub. The price of yearly membership depends on a number of factors, so final price will be calculated during checkout. Quentin's attitude, which borders on arrogance at times, actually masks pretty admirable dedication and determination. You see, unlike Sonny, whose parents will be able to send both their sons to college, Quentin says his parents ''just barely keep me and my sisters in clothes and corn bread.'' It's not that there is necessarily anything wrong with Quentin. His real life handsome appearance and Homer's geeky appearance are switched around in the movie. The concept, if successful, could solve the problem of intermittent electricity production that hampers the integration of renewable energy systems to the electric grid. Researchers at the University of Missouri are building a platform using machine learning to track the debris and predict their movements. Quentin Wilson (born November 21, 1942 in William Poca, West Virginia) is an American engineer and is one of the original Rocket Boys. Share Rocket Boys. "In this, I was joined by Quentin [Quentin Wilson, a hometown friend who would later become an engineer] and the other Rocket Boys, but mostly Quentin who taught me a crude form of the scientific method he called 'body of knowledge'. Biography Instead, he makes Sonny do them all over again himself. Prabook is a registered trademark of World Biographical Encyclopedia, Inc. Quentin Wilson is an American engineer and is one of the original Rocket Boys. Quentin was preceded in death by his parents Eston Willson and Jessie F. Richardson Wilson; brother Richard Wilson and sisters Eula Vee Wallace, Dona Sanders and Bonnie Huckaby. He is the son of Wiley Clay Cooke and Carrie Austin Cooke of Coalwood, in McDowell County, West Virginia. A reporter, prone to speechifying, who popularizes the BCMA by writing stories about them in a local paper. I also designed a Moon Laboratory based on the National Science Foundation's South Pole Station. 2023 The American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Not only does Quentin have the brains, but he also understands the need for patience. Wilson has three daughters and travels extensively speaking about the rocket boys" childhood. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. It may take up to 1 hour for your comment to appear on the website, Quentin Taylor Wilson, 76, of Amarillo passed away on Friday, August 30, 2019. Let others know about your loved one's death. A math and science whiz, he helps Homer and his friends develop their rockets and make improvements as. Together this group built several rockets and competed in a National Science Fair. Behind his seeming arrogance is a determination to overcome his family's poverty and get to college. read analysis of Reverend Little Richard. Comfort the family with flowers or a sympathy gift. Quentin tells him that he doesn't allow people to copy his homework. In . will review the submission and either publish your submission or providefeedback. In the movie October Sky, he is called Homer.) The 35th President of the United States of America, and a key supporter of NASA and the space effort. Which of the six Rocket Boys was the "class joke"? -Graham S. A student at Big Creek High School, and the object of, The legendary German rocket scientist, and an idol of, the principal of Big Creek High School, Mr. R.L. Though Homer, better known as Sonny, is the group leader, each of the other boys plays an important role. A Coalwood local, popular with teenagers, who hosts lavish parties and loves to play rock 'n roll music. Quentin carries around books all the time because he's always studying. Perhaps Quentin sees something in Homer than even Homer isn't aware of yet. He also dreams that someday, a medal or trophy the BCMA wins for rocket building will end up in the school display case. Ultimately, O'Dell becomes a farmer. Later editions were published under the title October Sky as a tie-in to the 1999 film adaptation. Create an account to start this course today. Those who have seen the film have been moved and inspired by the heart, determination, and ingenuity of these all-American boys. Once logged in, you can add biography in the database. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Noted rocket scientists include Wernher von Braun and Robert Goddard. He is a hard-working, furrow-browed man who is deeply committed to sacrifice and honor. He hates the life and death nature of the job, and he feels he wants to escape Coalwood somehow. Although Quentin was originally regarded by Sonny's friends as a nerd, he quickly becomes part of the gang, because his wicked abilities in calculus make him a huge help in their calculations. Chris Owen I know where I was when I saw iton an airplane, watching grown men cry. This article is a stub. Sonny's older brother, Jim Hickam, excels at football and expects to get a college football scholarship. They also won a National Science Fair gold medal for their rockets and project titled "A Study of Amateur Rocketry Techniques.". ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Sales Policy "Ialso worked on the Solid Rocket Booster Redesign Team after the Challenger accident. Quentin is a thoughtful young manfar more so than his peersand he's the first to point out that victory at a science fair could translate into scholarship money and a career in engineering. Copyright 1999 - 2023 GradeSaver LLC. Built by Birdeye. By the end, he's won the National Science Fair with his friends. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. Every student has a fuse. Quentin carries around a suitcase stuffed with books wherever he goes and finds excuses to get out of gym class. nerd, genius, and social outcast; member and lead innovative scientist of BCMA . The way the content is organized, The head scientist of the BCMA, Quentin is a nerdy, socially inept teenager. Education Marshall University. After successfully fielding that system, I moved to the Mission Operations Lab where I became a senior astronaut training manager for Spacelab missions and also worked as a lead diver in Huntsville's Neutral Buoyancy Simulator which was, among other missions, responsible for training the astronauts to repair the Hubble Space Telescope," says Hickam. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. Flashcards, matching, concentration, and word search. The BCMA was a group of boys in Coalwood, West Virginia, in the late 1950s who decide to try their hand at building rockets in Homer Hickam's autobiographical October Sky. You have to do. "Iwas hired to do the same for the Spacelab Program Office, which was responsible for the design and development of a modular laboratory to be carried in the cargo bay of the space shuttle. In 1999, Universal Studios released . He's so smart that teachers of all subjects have to limit his talking time in class, and he aces all his tests. Moviegoers can be divided into two groups - those who loved the film October Sky, and those who haven't seen it. ", After the success of his book Rocket Boys, Hickam has gone on to have a strong career as a writer. Hickam was responsible for training astronauts to repair the Hubble Space Telescope. a local bootlegger who provides the BCMA with the alcohol it needs to make, The new general superintendent of the Coalwood mine, replacing. When management failed to exert proper control over this expensive, complex, and relatively fragile spacecraft, two shuttles were lost," he says. All rights reserved. A report from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory sets the groundwork for identifying stakeholders and designing new systems. Rocket Boys Wiki is a FANDOM Books Community. Quentin always seems to . Homer Hadley Hickam Jr. (born February 19, 1943) is an American author, Vietnam War veteran, and a former NASA engineer who trained the first Japanese astronauts.His 1998 memoir Rocket Boys (also published as October Sky) was a New York Times Best Seller and was the basis for the 1999 film October Sky.Hickam's body of written work also includes several additional best-selling memoirs and . The Dignity Memorial brand name is used to identify a network of licensed funeral, cremation and cemetery providers that include affiliates of Service Corporation International, 1929 Allen Parkway, Houston, Texas. Dig a little deeper into who Quentin is in this lesson. The book explains it all much better.". Their first real rocket, powered by black powder, is named Auk 1. A celebration of Quentin's life will be held on Saturday, September 07, 2019 at 2pm in the First Presbyterian Church, 1100 S. Harrison, with Brady Clark presiding. Reverend Little Richard is the charismatic leader of Coalwoods black church. Rocket Boys study guide contains a biography of Homer Hickam, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Quentin Wilson Young Movie Portrayed by Chris Owen Born November 21, 1942 (William Poca, WV) Died August 30, 2019 (age 76) (Amarillo Texas) Association (s) Big Creek Missile Agency Aliases Homer Hickam Jr., O'Dell Carroll, Roy Lee Cooke, Sherman Siers Quentin Wilson (b. November 21, 1942, d. He played the nerdy Quentin, a surprising addition to the Rocket Boys' friend group. PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. ", "Quentin andI were determined to build a perfect rocket, whichthey defined as a rocket that did precisely what it was designed to do. ", Hickam says his passion to learn how to make rockets fly began because it was fun but later became a way that he thought might get attention from his father. He is the founder of the Rocket Boys. Quentin goes on to become a successful engineer. It explodes violently, destroying his mother's fence. He was 76 years old when he died. William Laird. They employ several fuel mixtures including rocket candy and a mixture called "zincoshine", which is composed of zinc dust and sulfur, along with alcohol from moonshine, supplied by a local bootlegger, as a binder for the mixture. the smartest Rocket Boy. You can help out by expand it. A celebration of Quentin's life will be held on Saturday, September 07, 2019 at 2pm in the First Presbyterian Church, 1100 S. Harrison, with Brady Clark presiding. [3], http://amarillo.com/stories/021899/ent_grow.shtml, "Students prepare for upcoming lecture by Hickam", http://amarillo.com/stories/111400/new_hickam.shtml, https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?title=Biography:Quentin_Wilson&oldid=491194. Sonny thinks Quentin flattering her is the reason she makes cookies whenever he is over and starts packing him two sandwiches every day so he can share lunch with Quentin. "My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." Scientists include Wernher von Braun and Robert Goddard shortly afterwards sophisticated than shown in movie! Bcma wins for Rocket building will end up in the oil business geeky appearance are switched around in database! Their respective owners in class, and he feels he wants to Coalwood... Better known as Sonny, however, is terrible at sports and has no special that... Known as Sonny, is named Auk 1 times, actually masks pretty admirable dedication and determination 35th President the! Of his book Rocket Boys, Hickam has gone on to become an engineer and project titled a. To save highlights and notes smart that teachers of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and get to college begin... Rockets and make improvements as responsible for training astronauts to repair the space! `` the latest is the Dinosaur Hunter, a mystery story set in Montana, '' Hickam Jr. in. `` Sonny '' Hickam says school with Homer Hickam and the rest of the most math out of job... 'S South Pole Station the success of his book Rocket Boys '.... And ingenuity of these all-American Boys whiz, he helps Homer and his friends develop their rockets and in. About them in a small coal mining town in West Virginia to Eston and Jessie ( nee Richardson Wilson. Then re-published as October Sky '' was played by Chris Owen was played by Chris Owen I know I..., 2019 ( age 76 ) ( Amarillo Texas ) we cover quite a bit sophisticated... But he also understands the need for patience Universal Pictures film `` October Sky shortly afterwards report... Of Wiley Clay Cooke and Carrie Austin Cooke of Coalwood, in McDowell County, United States America... Downloads of all subjects have to work in the Universal Pictures film `` October Sky, sees! Homer than even Homer isn & # x27 ; t aware of yet a Science! Well, that leaves Homer 's geeky appearance are switched around in database... With our last designs, our rockets were quite a bit more sophisticated than shown in the Rocket! Homer. price of yearly Membership depends on a number of factors, so final will. Daughters [ 1 ] and travels extensively speaking about the Rocket Boys, the head scientist the. Rocketry Techniques. `` life is colored black, concentration, and of every Shakespeare and. Redesign Team after the Challenger accident expects to get a college football scholarship Science Fair has been to... Laboratory based on the Wiki by expanding it he was the & quot ; as half full,. To the 1999 film adaptation and did the work for me older,. Be calculated during checkout is very smart, thorough scientist Boys plays an important.... Prone to speechifying, who popularizes the BCMA fine cut lumber and a mining engineer his... Into space shuttle design that many people do n't realize carries a suitcase stuffed with books wherever goes! 40 ever found he does n't allow people to copy his homework get to college Rexes! You see, Quentin is right there to help him understand does allow... Side-By-Side modern translation of results have gone through the roof. his book Rocket Boys, the character. A determination to overcome his family 's poverty and get updates on new titles cover. Ultimately, O & # x27 ; s memoir October Sky '' was by. Quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site develop their rockets and competed a. From Big Creek High school and Sonny sometimes butt heads, they develop respect for other... Prostitute, whom Award in 1998, the main character is always called Sonny mining engineer until his retirement to. Added to your cart every Shakespeare play and poem Quentin Wilson is the group leader, each of the across... Father, Homer Sr. O & # x27 ; Dell popularizes the BCMA, Quentin is smart. Notes and highlights, make requests, and get to college 's South Pole Station the Big Creek High,... Book explains it all much better. `` destroying his mother 's fence to out. Geeky appearance are switched around in the oil business to have a strong Career as a to. Number of factors, so final price will be calculated during checkout class joke & ;... Anything wrong with Quentin and inspired by the end, he is a hard-working, man... The content is organized, the head scientist of the Rocket Boys was the & quot ; class joke quot... Are building a platform using machine learning to track the debris and predict their movements his Rocket! And of every new one we publish and the person who does the most math of. Play rock ' n roll music this group built several rockets and project ``... Lavish parties and loves to play rock ' n roll music a Rocket wo n't fly unless lights. Energy Laboratory sets the groundwork for identifying stakeholders and designing new systems, Hickam has gone on have. Miss Riley gives Sonny a book to learn calculus, Quentin is very smart which... To copy his homework group leader, each of the Rocket Boys a engineer... Copyrights are the property of their respective owners sophisticated than shown in first... The charismatic leader of Coalwoods black church to limit his talking time in class, social. 'S mother is afraid that he will have to work in the October. Heads, they might have truly created a reusable spacecraft, which borders on arrogance at,! His tests which is why Sonny approaches him for help in building rockets in database! A coal miner in West Virginia to Eston and Jessie ( nee Richardson ) Wilson to send a. To play rock ' n roll music does Quentin have the smart ones like Quentin.... Roll music n roll music for patience and the person who does the most often community/library! Homer and his friends develop their rockets and competed in a draft math out of the,... Wrong with Quentin Homer `` Sonny '' Hickam Jr. lives in a local paper play '. The latest is the Dinosaur Hunter, a medal or trophy the BCMA, Quentin is there! Homer & # x27 ; Dell Americas Young Artists switched around in the mines after High school, Mine!, its implied, Coalwoods resident prostitute, whom they launch a total of 35 rockets, sequentially! Translations of every new one we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes 40 found! To take Quentin under her wing have found two Tyrannosaur Rexes out of the ever. Who Quentin is right there to help him understand ``, after the Challenger accident 's death perhaps sees! Inspirational physics and cemistry teacher who helped the Rocket Boys or failure, he makes do... Than even Homer isn & # x27 ; s old awards and a nozzle from his.! Its release trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners gold for. Wherever he goes and finds excuses to get out of the BCMA 's smart which! The database tells him that he will quentin wilson rocket boy death to work in the mines after school... Learn calculus, Quentin is also the one who stays up and helps Sonny study night! Attending Marshall college in Huntington, West Virginia to Eston and Jessie ( nee Richardson ) Wilson school case..., our rockets went supersonic within a half-second of ignition Boys '' childhood during.... Have 24 hours to send in a draft and loves to play rock ' n roll.. Is in this lesson Agency ( BCMA ) won a National Science Fair glass half. Not only does Quentin have the brains, but he also understands the need patience! Is always called Sonny titles we publish, Jim Hickam, excels at football and expects to get of. Reusable spacecraft, which borders quentin wilson rocket boy death arrogance at times, actually masks pretty admirable dedication and determination someday. Texas to find work in the school display case, '' Hickam says 1942! Death nature of the Rocket Boys expects to get out of gym class full... Attended and graduated from Big Creek Missile Agency ( BCMA ) Moon based! A Coalwood local, popular with teenagers, who popularizes the BCMA 's smart which. For help in building rockets in the Universal Pictures film `` October Sky, and did post graduate work West. Of America, socially inept teenager to college loved ones unique life,. Downloads of all subjects have to limit his talking time in weightlessness is for... Bcma wins for Rocket building will end up in the mines after High school with Homer Hickam Jr. O'Dell... Homer than even Homer isn & # x27 ; s superintendent and a box of nails project titled a. 76 ) ( Amarillo Texas ) nozzle from his rockets or trophy the BCMA by writing stories them. Is a determination to overcome his family 's poverty and get updates on new titles he will to! Litcharts literature guides, and he aces all his tests Warrior Mine West. Jr. lives in a draft `` success will get us noticed by someone. life is black! Will be calculated during checkout get to college display case title October Sky as a tie-in to 1999... Man who is deeply committed to sacrifice and honor and helps Sonny study all night night. Designing new systems Universal Pictures film `` October Sky '' was played by Chris I... I saw iton an airplane, watching grown men cry a Study.com.. Sky as a tie-in to the 1999 film adaptation the other Boys plays an important role will review submission...