Baldwinsville middle schooler writes to Syracuse-born astronaut Dr. Jeanette Epps

BALDWINSVILLE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — When Dr. Jeanette Epps and her crewmates blast off toward the International Space Station, a 12-year-old from Baldwinsville will be tracking their every move.

Gia Purchiaroni, a seventh grader, fell in love with space after an elementary school constellation project.

“Every time we come back from dance, at night, I just like to look at the stars through the car window,” Gia said.

The 12-year-old has the brightness to become a star herself already working toward becoming an astronomer or astrophysicist.

Purchiaroni is lightyears ahead of most middle schoolers.

She joked that her friends, “Get bothered by it sometimes because I talk about it too much.”

Gia’s talking to the right people, having written to Dr. Epps — a Corcoran High School and Le Moyne College alum — asking about programs she should consider as she moves into high school.

“It’s so cool she grew up in Syracuse,” said Gia. “Just like me.”

Gia hopes to hear from Dr. Epps after six months aboard the International Space Station.

Until then, Gia will be watching the ISS from the ground and tracking the space flight online.