My mom taught elementary school in GA and I 'had' to go to a 'school event' since I was too young to stay at home by myself. I'd guess 6, but I really don't remember.
I do remember the 'school event' was some 'old guy' talking a lot to a group of 5th graders while we sat on wooden bleachers in a common area, likely behind the community library, as that's where I always had to go to 'school events'.
I was bored out of my mind, self-conscious being around all the older kids and this 'old guy' just wouldn't shut up. After 1*10^27 minutes (that is my estimation of time from memory, I had no idea what an exponent was at 6 years old), he said 3-2-1 and the world changed. Being a young kid, you don't hide your emotions very well, so more people were looking at me than the rocket once he hit the button. This happened a few more times and I was completely attentive and proper, just like sitting in the front row at church - no fidgeting at all.
When it was over I remember my mom making me walk up and say thank-you to the 'old guy' who did the demonstration. He asked if I wanted my own rocket and I remember having a literal jaw drop, looking at my mom with the look that any kid can make 'really, can I have it???'. I got an Estes Mosquito in a bag. I *think* it was $0.49 on the bag, but maybe it was an absurd amount like $0.79 or even $0.99 - it would have been 1980-ish and knowing rocketeers, he might have bought it in 1970. . .
Anyway, I asked if I could have one for my brother too, as he might like them and he gave me a second one. My brother is 10 years older than me, so he already had gone through the 1st model rocketry phase by the time I was born.
Of course, I don't have the original mosquito any more, but after losing the first one (one of the most insane losses of my life at that point) my brother bought us both 2 more Mosquitos at the hobby shop and we each have them both (un-launched) today.
For our first launch, dad found a steel dowel, drilled a hole in a 4x4 that matched, screwed it to a scrap plywood base and we used a 9V battery touching wires to the lamp cord to 'make it go.' I think dad made my brother stain and seal the 'launchpad', but we used it for years. Dad even upgraded it to a 3/16" rod for the Mean Machine my brother and I both saved for.
So that's my story. I became a space nerd, aerospace engineer and still enjoy rocketry today, probably a 3x BAR. I think my brother is a 2x BAR. I really never thought about that event more than one or two times in my life, but that would be when it started. I have no clue who that 'old guy' was but I bet he was probably 30-40, give or take. I have done 13 launches as the 'old guy' so far and I assure you kids who are interested leave with something to build in their hands, no matter what. The ones who don't care, don't get much, though. . .
Thanks for asking a question that makes me remember such a cool time in my life. I lost dad in October, but mom and my brother are still doing great, so I'll share the memory with them the next time we talk. I know both will remember.
The attached pic is the second mosquito my brother built. He has mine, painted in silver. I bet his fins are way better than mine were!!!! I'll have to ask.
Sandy.