News, Russellville, Top News Stories FRONT PAGE, Z - News Main, Z - TOP HOME
 By  Lauren Wester Published 
8:22 pm Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Scholarship provides RMS student space camp opportunity

Two students from House District 18 have been chosen to attend a space academy at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center through a scholarship program funded by the Space Academy for Leading Students in Alabama – which is funded by the State of Alabama Legislature. One of those students is Carter Fretwell, who attends Russellville Middle School.

Fretwell is in the eighth grade and said he plans on being an engineer when he grows up. He said he likes to create and build things and enjoys learning about STEM-related topics like rockets.

At SALSA he will learn the history of the space program, use teamwork to solve complex problems using STEM concepts and critical thinking, learn to train like an astronaut using authentic simulators and embark on a simulated space mission. According to SALSA, this experience is meant to “inspire students to get engaged in mathematics and science while exposing them to career paths in the aerospace industry and beyond.”

Fretwell said one of his biggest motivators is his own life experience. He has been diagnosed with fibular hemimelia, which has affected his left leg growth and bone structure. Because of this, his mobility is limited.

“I want to build limb enhancements for people with medical conditions such as mine,” he said.

Fretwell’s tuition, room and board for this camp will be covered by this scholarship.

“We’re proud of Carter and this opportunity for one of our students,” said RMS school counselor Jeremie Kinney.

The camp will be May 26-31.

Also on Franklin County Times
Tiffin Motorhomes to produce new line
Main, News, Red Bay, ...
By Brady Petree For the FCT 
February 18, 2026
RED BAY — Tiffin Motorhomes is slated to open a new production line in Red Bay, according to Tiffin’s parent company, THOR Industries. Beginning May 1...
Dealer: Gold content not suitable for everyday use
Main, News, Z - News Main
By Addi Broadfoot For the FCT 
February 18, 2026
The push for a new $2.50 anniversary coin is raising logistical and economic questions, particularly about whether such a coin could be used in everyd...
Red Bay approves $3.6M budget
Main, News, Red Bay
By Brady Petree For the FCT 
February 18, 2026
RED BAY – City officials are expecting a slight decrease in sales tax revenue for the upcoming fiscal year but anticipating a larger general fund budg...
$5K TVA grant to bring student podcasting program to RES
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
February 18, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Elementary School students will soon be recording podcasts, interviewing community members and exploring career paths in a program bein...
State is overlooking qualified local leaders
Columnists, Opinion
February 18, 2026
When I was elected to the Alabama State Senate in 1978, I was 39 years old. Now at the age of 87, when I go out in the community, I meet people who re...
White to perform March 7 at the Roxy
News, Russellville
HERE AND NOW
February 18, 2026
There is something special about a night out in a small town. People run into neighbors. They make a plan instead of staying home. They fill the sidew...
Accessible basketball completes year 2
News, Russellville, Sports
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
February 18, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Fifteen players took the court over four Saturdays at the Ralph C. Bishop Center for this year’s round of accessible basketball games. ...
Belgreen team wins Spark Tank contest
News, Russellville, Russellville Golden Tigers
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
February 18, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE Fourteen teams from three high schools pitched business ideas and competed for cash prizes during the second annual Franklin County Spark...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *