LHS Grad Soars with Falcon 9: Catherine Schlabach’s Space Force Success

We are so proud to share this story! Lecanto High School graduate and now U.S. Space Force First Lieutenant Catherine Schlabach is playing a crucial role in helping a Falcon 9 rocket lift off this week. It’s not every day we get to celebrate one of our own being part of such a high-profile and historic mission in aerospace.

As a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Space Force, Catherine is applying her engineering expertise, leadership skills, and calm under pressure to support the successful launch of one of the world’s most advanced rockets. This is no small feat. It takes years of preparation, countless hours of technical training, and an unwavering commitment to excellence to earn a place on such a mission. And Catherine has done just that.

Big thanks to Casmira Harrison at the Citrus County Chronicle for telling this story and shining a light on Catherine’s incredible journey. You can read the full article here: LHS grad to help Falcon 9 rocket get off the ground this week

What makes this story especially meaningful for us is that Catherine’s roots are right here in Citrus County. A proud graduate of the International Baccalaureate program at Lecanto High School, she has taken what she learned in our classrooms and used it as a foundation for success on a national and global stage. From her time in IB to now managing technical and operational details for a Space Force rocket launch, Catherine’s path is a powerful example of what’s possible when education, determination, and opportunity meet.

Her success is not only a testament to her own dedication but also to the educators, mentors, and family members who supported her along the way. In the Chronicle article, Catherine credits “a Citrus County education and a supportive family” for helping her get to where she is today. That’s something we can all take pride in.

We are incredibly proud of you, First Lieutenant Schlabach! Your work doesn’t just propel rockets—it lifts the dreams and ambitions of young people in our community and shows them that the sky is not the limit, it’s just the beginning.

Let’s keep cheering Catherine on and celebrating the amazing things our Citrus County graduates are accomplishing every day.

Comments Off on LHS Grad Soars with Falcon 9: Catherine Schlabach’s Space Force Success
Filed under: Blog Posts, News & Updates