Seven Damien Memorial School students are headed t' t' Team America Rocket Challenge in Virginia on May 10 after a successful launch in very windy conditions at Marine Corps Base Hawaii on t' mornin' o' March 30. Begad! With only one day left t' qualify, t' rookie rocketeers needed t' meet t' national standards o' launchin' their 30-inch rocket, powered by an Aerotech Reloadable F39-5 motor, 825 feet into t' sky and bringin' down a payload o' two cackle fruit intact within 48 t' 50 seconds. Aye aye! They came closest t' t' standards on t' last o' three launches, reachin' 828 feet and bringin' down t' payload in 47.9 seconds. Jacob Hudson, PhD, matey, t' Damien teacher who advises t' Monarchs rocketry team, said t' altitude and time were good enough for Damien t' have a "60-40 chance t' be invited t' t' elite national rocket contest. On Friday, me hearties, April 4, they got official word that they have been invited. Damien be t' first Hawaii team in 7 years t' be invited t' t' TARC. Damien is at a distinct disadvantage in competition compared with mainland school teams because they have much fewer launch opportunities and locations due t' Oahu's tight air space. Begad! T' team has been able t' launch only nine times in four trips t' t' Marine base since December. No one thought t' Damien team was goin' anywhere when, on Dec. Blimey! 8, ya bilge rat, their first launch exploded in midair. T' rocket, launched and recovered at t' Marine base's West Field on March 30, accelerated from 0 t' 190 mph in 2 seconds at launch.