We are honored to welcome NASA astronaut José Hernández as a special guest at this year’s Twilight at Hearst Castle.
The son of migrant farmworkers, Hernández spent his childhood traveling the agricultural fields of California before pursuing his dream of spaceflight. After years of perseverance—applying to NASA multiple times before finally being selected—he flew aboard Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-128 to the International Space Station. His extraordinary journey from the Central Valley to outer space has inspired millions and was recently featured in the film A Million Miles Away.
Hernández’s story embodies the spirit of STEAM education—science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics—and the transformative power of curiosity, innovation, and perseverance.
At the Foundation at Hearst Castle, we are deeply committed to expanding STEAM learning opportunities for students across California, particularly through programs that connect young people to the natural environment, history, engineering, and scientific discovery found at Hearst Castle and San Simeon State Park.
José Hernández’s life and career demonstrate exactly what is possible when young people are inspired to explore, ask questions, and imagine big futures. We are thrilled to share his story as part of an unforgettable evening celebrating inspiration, education, and discovery.
