Breadcrumb Trail Links
Published Apr 13, 2026 • 3 minute read
McGillivray Central school in North Middlesex has been celebrating the adventures of Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, who recently splashed down safely in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California after a successful 10-day, record-setting trip around the moon as part of NASA’s Artemis II voyage. Pictured is McGillivray student William Ritchie, who made an astronaut helmet and walkie talkie to share facts and information about the spacesuits used by the Artemis II crew on their spacecraft Integrity. Photo by McGillivray Central photo /jpg, LA, apsmcArticle content
McGILLIVRAY – It was a long way from his Middlesex County roots when Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen safely splashed down in the Pacific Ocean with his three crewmates, successfully completing the historic Artemis II voyage around the moon.
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Along the way, Hansen — with NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch — flew more than 6,400 kilometres past the far side of the moon, farther away from the Earth than humans have ever flown before.
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And for Hansen, it all started here.
Born in London in 1976, Hansen was raised in the hamlet of Brinsley, north of Ailsa Craig, where he attended McGillivray Central public school until he graduated in 1990, when his family moved to Ingersoll where he attended high school.
While he left the area decades ago, Hansen is an inspiration at McGillivray, principal Michelle Koop said recently.
The school held a special assembly in February to update students on Hansen’s activities, during which NASA photos were shared, as were videos of Hansen talking about his upbringing in the area.
“For our students, Jeremy isn’t just an astronaut,” Koop said. “Jeremy is a person that many of their parents sat beside on the bus (and) played alongside on the school yard.”
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In this file photo, then Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MP Bev Shipley, left, took a few minutes to thank Col. Jeremy Hansen, right for serving and giving back to his country at an award ceremony for Hansen on May 26, 2018, in North Middlesex. Hansen graduated from North Middlesex’s McGillivray Central school in 1990. Photo by William Proulx/Times-Advance fil /jpg, LA, apsmc
During Hansen’s voyage, students tuned into live coverage and gave presentations to their classmates. They also received a Hansen sticker, bookmark and button from the Canadian Space Agency.
Watching with pride during the voyage was retired McGillivray educator Drew Robertson of Crediton, who recalled his time as Hansen’s teacher. He remembered Hansen as a solid student who went about things quietly and never caused any problems.
“You could tell he was brought up properly,” Robertson said. “He was accomplished in what he did, but he did it quietly. He wasn’t boastful; he wasn’t arrogant. And I think he’s the same now — he gives other people credit for his accomplishments.”
While Hansen left the area after graduating from McGillivray, he and Robertson bonded a couple of years later when they ran into each other at Masonville Place in London. Robertson approached Hansen when he recognized him in uniform promoting the air cadets. During their conversation, Hansen asked Robertson if he’d like to go up in a glider aircraft with him in Centralia.
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Robertson agreed, and a couple of weekends later “off we went,” with Robertson describing the flight as exhilarating and terrifying.
“I had a 15-year-old piloting (me),” he said.
Robertson then began to follow Hansen’s career as a colonel in the Canadian Armed Forces and a fighter pilot. He said it was special for him to have that close connection with Hansen.
He said Hansen is a proud Canadian who has maintained a close connection with his former McGillivray classmates.
“What shines through is his enthusiasm and his humble attitude towards himself,” Robertson said. “I’m very proud of him.”
Above, a young Jeremy Hansen receives an award in the McGillivray Central gym. Photo by McGillivray Central photo /jpg, LA, apsmc
He also highlighted Hansen’s courage.
“It’s got to be terrifying for all of them,” Robertson said of the voyage. “I just give the family of all of them so much credit for having the fortitude to be able to handle saying goodbye to somebody, knowing full well you may never see them again.”
Robertson also emphasized small-town Ontario’s role in Hansen’s upbringing, a thought echoed by McGillivray’s current principal.
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“Jeremy’s journey to the moon . . . is a powerful reminder that from even the smallest schools can come extraordinary futures,” said Koop, describing Hansen’s trip as a learning experience for the students.
“Students are seeing that important journeys can begin right here,” she said. “Jeremy Hansen’s story has become part of our story and has helped our students think more broadly about what’s possible.”
The school has been celebrating the outer space voyage of former student Jeremy Hansen, who landed safely on Friday, April 10, after a 10-day historic voyage around the moon. Photo by McGillivray Central photo /jpeg, LA, apsmc
Hansen appeared in the Times-Advance in June 2018, when he received the North Middlesex Sesquicentennial Inspiration Award at the North Middlesex Community Centre in Parkhill for his extraordinary achievements.
“You’ve done an incredible job of humbling me today,” Hansen said at the event. He credited his parents — Nancy and Gary — family, friends and teachers for helping him reach his achievements.
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