DATE: Thursday, May 29, 1997                TAG: 9705280139

SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 03   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: THUMBS UP 

SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   61 lines

KELLY MITCHELL OUTSTANDING STUDENT

Airplanes - fly.

Yes, but how?

It has something to do with the wind draftand the shape of the wings . . . and other things.

Those are the basics. Thirteen-year-old Kelly Mitchell can offer a more detailed explanation.

She recently spent a technical day at Christopher Newport University participating in a program sponsored by JOVE (JOint VEnture) Outreach, a NASA program initiated by the Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama.

What would have seemed like an intense day of study to most of us - Kelly describes as ``a lot of fun.''

The John F. Kennedy Middle School student, a BETA Club member, is the daughter of Mary and David Mitchell of Gardner Lane.

During her Christopher Newport visit, which focused on aerospace and the Internet, Kelly spent a lot of time working a computer, ``doing scientific experiments, learning about NASA and what makes airplanes fly.

``JOVE made me see that learning about science is more than just reading about it,'' said Kelly, whose future is more down-to-earth. ``I want to be a psychologist. I like helping people with their problems.''

She has a head start, thanks to her ``here's-my-shoulder-to-cry-on'' attitude.

``I already help people with their problems,'' Kelly said, explaining, ``I'm a good listener. Some people in school come to me with their troubles. They feel more comfortable with me.''

People from all corners of the world feel the same way.

``I've developed a lot of friends on the Internet,'' said Kelly, who describes mathematics as her favorite school subject.

``I'm really good with numbers. Math is easier than most of my other subjects,'' said Kelly, who is - no surprise - a straight-A student.

She has some thoughts on why some students bring home those high grades.

``They're more interested in school - they want to do good,'' Kelly said. ``Some kids just see school as a place to find new friends.''

Many of Kelly's friends are into music.

``I'm in my second year as a flutist in the school band,'' she said, noting, ``I like playing. It's something that relaxes me.''

There is still more music in her life.

``It's an after-school activity. I'm a member of the Spring Band,'' Kelly said, referring to a group of 7th graders and above who meet every Tuesday and Thursday at Nansemond River High School.

When she is not playing, Kelly is listening. ``I listen to everything,'' she said. ``Alternative is my favorite.''

Her favorite television program is ``Beverly Hills 90210. ``I listen to a lot of prime time shows.''

When Kelly is not involved with the tube, she enjoys reading, concentrating on novels about young people, including the series of Sweet Valley books.

The youngster, who attends Westminister Reformed Presbyterian Church, has these two words of advice: ``Enjoy life.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER

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