Students Share Stories at Dear World

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Consolo was one of six students selected to share his story to an audience during Dear World Live on Nov. 29, an interactive event that gave students the opportunity to take portraits by writing messages on their skin that reflect their core beliefs.
Consolo, who is earning bachelor’s degrees in Commercial Space Operations and Human Factors, said he knew as early as elementary school that he wanted to become an astronaut someday and he worked hard in pursuit of that dream.  But right before his freshman year of high school, Consolo was in a car accident that left his single mother with a spinal cord disability and his sister injured. The money that his family set aside for college soon went to cover medical expenses.
Consolo worked several jobs during high school to help offset the medical bills. He continued to pursue his dream of working in the aerospace industry and was accepted to Embry-Riddle. Consolo recently completed an internship at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.
“When I got on stage it was amazing to see people’s reactions and how it resonated with them,” Consolo said. “It was very significant to be able to share my story and I felt passionate that I could influence someone else to know that they are not alone and can do anything they set their mind to.”

Dear World began in New Orleans as photographic love notes to the city and has grown into a traveling interactive event with portraits published in over 30 countries, including refugee camps in Jordan. During the two-day event at Embry Riddle, students had the opportunity to take part in a photo shoot that highlighted the identity of the Embry-Riddle campus. During the shoot, Consolo and six other students were chosen to share their stories on stage during an unveiling of nearly 200 student portraits. 
“By the end ...

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