January 23, 2012

The inspiring true story of 20 local students with special needs and their incredible journey to NASA's Space Camp came to the big screen in Grand Rapids for one night only!

Nearly 1,000 people were on hand at Celebration Cinema North for the Grand Rapids premiere of A Smile as Big as the Moon, the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie based on local students. Movie goers were abuzz with excitement as they crammed the lobby during the Red Carpet activities and packed the theatre's two largest auditoriums.

Among the crowd were nearly all of the original students who inspired the movie and their families, former special education teachers Mike Kerjes, author of the book the movie is based on, and Robynn McKinney, Dr. Deborah Barnhart, CEO of Space Camp and hundreds of families, friends and community members.

Energy filled the lobby during the Red Carpet activities that included interviews with the original students, Space Camp representatives, Special Olympics with student athletes, Students from the Kent Transition Center demonstrating their program, Very Special Arts with a display of artwork, book signing with the author and former Forest Hills teacher Mike Kersjes and a family photo op with outer space backgrounds. The excitement continued as the audience filed into the theatres and received goodie bags that included a special DVD of the movie. 

The inspiring impact of the movie was clear to see on the faces of the audience as they left the auditoriums with huge smiles and even a few tears. The entire evening was a true celebration of the abilities of all people with special needs and Kent ISD was proud to be a part of it.

In 1989 NASA's Space Camp for gifted and talented students told special education teachers Mike Kersjes and Robynn McKinney that there was no room in the program for their students. That was the wrong answer. The two teachers set out on a mission for their students to not only attend the camp, but to compete in challenges right along side the camp's best and brightest. What followed is an amazing story of dedication, passion and demonstration of the abilities of people with special needs. 

Proceeds from the movie premiere event went to support Special Olympics Michigan Area 11 which helps athletes in Kent and Barry counties.

The movie premiered nationally on ABC on Sunday, January 29, at 9pmand airs several times on the Hallmark Channel during the week of February 5.

Former special education teachers Mike Kersjes and Robynn McKinney with the cast and director of A Smile As Big As the Moon

Group of the original students that attended Space Camp at the movie premiere
Jan. 23, 2012

 
Live interviews with WZZM 13 (left) Mike Kersjes & Robynn McKinney (on the right) Former student Brook & Dr. Barnhart