Our beautiful Victoria Katherine was tragically taken from us on May 3. Victoria was born on April 1, 1992 in Pensacola to Patricia and David Glass, CAPT USNR (Ret.), and devoted big sister Lauren Glass. Victoria was a truly exceptional young woman, who was gracious and generous. Victoria attended St. Paul Catholic School from kindergarten through eighth grade, where she received the Jenna Jacob Excellence Award. As an active member of Girl Scouts for seven years, she received the coveted Silver Award. Victoria was a bright ray of sunshine that loved playing piano and dancing. She played piano for seven years and won first place in the Pensacola Music Teachers Association Sonata Piano & Instrumental Contest. She was selected to be a member of the elite Emerald Coast Ballet. Victoria was a member of Chain Reaction, a student volunteer group. She was selected to be part of the group's leadership council during its founding years. After serving on the council, Victoria was qualified to be a member of local community boards. Known for her infectious smile, Victoria graduated from the International Baccalaureate Program at Pensacola High School in 2010. While there, she was a Corps Commander and integral member of AFJROTC. Victoria was an active member of Pensacola High Student Key Club, achieving the rank of District 1 Lieutenant Governor. She organized regional meetings and coordinated numerous leadership training events in the Panhandle District, over which she presided. In the Key Club Oratory Contest in Orlando, which was comprised of Florida and Puerto Rico Key Club members, she won third place. Victoria spent countless hours achieving success in this capacity. Victoria was selected to attend the Girls State Convention in Tallahassee. As a participant, she learned about taking part in state governance, in preparation for becoming a responsible adult citizen. Victoria was selected from a group of 200 girls to receive the Amelia Reese Friendship Award. Victoria was the volleyball manager at Pensacola High School. She also raced and ran as a member of the school's track team. She attended Space Camp in Huntsville, AL on a full scholarship. Victoria was chosen to participate in the Naval Academy Summer Seminar after her junior year. She was also selected to attend a leadership training camp through AFJROTC in Albuquerque, NM on a full scholarship. Victoria was an active member of the Post Polio group in Pensacola and produced a movie called "Triumph and Tragedy," for which she was awarded first place in Pensacola High School's History Fair. She then competed in the State History Fair in Orlando. Her movie is now in the annals of the Post Polio Association's educational materials. In addition to numerous volunteer activities, Victoria worked at the National Museum of Naval Aviation. She began a long relationship with the National Flight Academy as a crew leader in high school; by founding the Teen Shadow Board, which served as the "young adults" voice of the National Flight Academy that reached out to high school students as far away as Orlando; and, by becoming a staff member that provided technical services and acted as a role model for high school students. Victoria received a Congressional nomination to the U.S. Air Force Academy. She was awarded a full Naval ROTC scholarship at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Victoria was a member of the Marine fitness group Semper Fi at the University of West Florida. Most recently, Victoria worked as a library assistant while attending the University of West Florida. She planned to return to the University of North Florida this summer to study chemistry and participate in NROTC as a midshipman. She dreamed of joining NASA. A reception celebrating Victoria's life will be held on Thursday beginning at 4pm at Paul's on the Bay, 670 Scenic Bay Highway. In addition to her parents and sister, Victoria is survived by grandparents Shirlee and H.J. Glass II, CDR USNR (Ret.) of Centennial, CO and Liz and Clarence Taff, CAPT USN (Ret.) of Camarillo, CA; aunts and uncles Emma and Clarence Taff of Spokane, WA, Lise and Richard Seedroff, Stacie Evans, and Laure and Scott Levin all of CO; cousins Adam, Amy, Noa, Levi, and Brad Blann, Kerri and Jeff Evans, Kristina and Ivan Martinez, Reid, Rachel, and Rebecca Levin, and Cody and Jessie Taff. Victoria is preceded in death by her sister, Katherine; her uncle, Richard Taff; and her grandmother, Geraldine Taff. In lieu of flowers, the Glass family requests that donations in made in Victoria's memory to the (Huntsville AL) Space Camp General Scholarship Fund at http://www.spacecampstore.com/General-Scholarship-Fund or the National Flight Academy at info@nationalflightacademy.com or by calling 1-877-552-3632. ***SHE SHOT FOR THE MOON & LANDED AMONG THE STARS***