Michelle Chen remembers wondering why the moon followed her when she was a child.
She believed it meant she was destined to do something extraordinary.
And judging by response to the Semiahmoo Secondary alumna’s entry into a contest where the grand prize is a trip into space, that “something extraordinary” just might become reality.
“I think I have a pretty good chance of actually winning this whole thing,” an optimistic Chen said Monday.
As of April 2, Chen’s submission into the Metro Race for Space competition – made possible through a partnership with SXC Space Expedition Curacao – had amassed the fourth-highest number of votes in Canada, 75,495.
The month-long contest, which closes today (Thursday), invites citizens aged 18 and older to vie for a seat aboard the SXC Lynx, a spaceship anticipated to start offering the public flights leaving from the Caribbean island of Curacao in 2014.
Entrants have to tell why they think they are suited for the mission and then gather votes via Facebook and other social media backing them.
Last week, Chen’s ‘Born for This’ submission rocketed into second place, garnering support, in part, through her connection to the military.
“Growing up with an air force pilot dad and a paratrooper mom, it’s no surprise that I also dreamt of touching the skies,” Chen writes.
“Being raised in a military family has taught me the discipline and perseverance I need to do anything I can dream of, and this is the dream…”
Chen herself has long been involved with the Royal Canadian Air Cadets. A former 907 Squadron member, she is currently with the 888 RCAC Avengers in Vancouver, and part of the Cadet Instructors Cadre (CIC).
Monday, on a break from studying at UBC, the 20-year-old Chen said it is “mind-boggling” to think she may actually go into space.
She is optimistic despite the quickly growing support for Canadian front-runner Mike Smith, better known as Bubbles from the TV show Trailer Park Boys. He has collected in excess of 160,000 votes.
“After two days, he gained about 55,000 votes,” Chen said. “That took all of us about two weeks.”
According to metroinspace.com, submissions are to be judged on entrants’ genuine interest and enthusiasm for going into space, interesting personality and physical and psychological fitness.
“I think they make sure that it’s not just the votes,” Chen said.
“It’s all about the entry and if people qualify.”
The grand prize package includes a return flight to Curacao, three nights in a five-star hotel, two training missions in Holland (including a return ticket to the Netherlands and hotel accommodation) and simulation flights.
According to SXC’s website, www.spacexc.com, flights aboard the Lynx will climb to an altitude of approximately 100 kilometres and offer a view of Earth’s curves from Florida to Brazil.
The one-hour flights are being offered to the public at a cost of about $95,000.
Entries into the Metro Race for Space are being accepted at www.metroinspace.com/ca through April 5.
One finalist will be chosen from each country where Metro is published, with the ultimate winner determined by a “global jury.”
Local finalists are to be announced April 12; the grand prize winner will be notified by April 27.
To vote for Chen, visit http://metroinspace.com/ca/view/cov9