Yep, HC guy from 8-12. We talked about it the way back years. IIRC, I was one year ahead of you.
Actually, the shuttle was barged right past us from Mobile to the World's Fair in '84. We got a chance to get out of class and go to the levee behind the MS building to watch it float by. It was cool as hell.
https://www.turner-industries.com/4...ries-lifts-off-with-space-shuttle-enterprise/
For the explosion, I was in Algebra class in the Administration building when it happened. There was a TV on a cart nearby so, I think it was Brother John, rolled the cart into class and turned it on. I'll never forget that day and the entire class was shocked to see what had happened.