PITTSBURG, Calif. (KGO) -- Former NASA astronaut Jose Hernandez told about 70 High School seniors Tuesday that if he can graduate from a UC school and become an astronaut- they can do it, too.
The students all attend Antioch or Pittsburg High Schools and most will be the first generation in their families to attend college.
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The University of California is reaching out in an effort to broaden its diversity in its student body.
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Hernandez told the kids NASA rejected him 11 times, but he never quit, and was accepted the 12th time he applied. He went to space in 2009 - proof that perseverance pays off.
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