On February 16, the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) hosted its
Annual African American History Month Art and Essay Contest Award
Ceremony for approximately 60 students from NRL's partner
schools.
This year's guest speaker was
Mr. Lorrd-Lorenzo A. Calender, II, professional storyteller and
Griot, who brought to life folktales through his interactive
program entitled "Celebrations of the Oral
Tradition."
Students were presented certificates
for their winning entries by Captain Bruce W. Buckley,
NRL's commanding officer and Mr. Calender. At the conclusion
of the program, Mr. Calender fielded questions on African folklore
and on the numerous African artifacts he provided for display.
The contest is co-sponsored by
NRL's Community Outreach Program and the NRL Black Employment
Program, as a part of the Department of Defense's "Partners
in Education Program," established in 1985, by presidential
directive to government activities to support local schools.
Through the Community Outreach
Program, NRL volunteers support four District of Columbia Schools:
M.V. Leckie and W.B. Patterson Elementary Schools, P.R. Harris
Educational Center, and F.W. Ballou Senior High School, providing
tutorial services, acting as mentors and role models, serving
as judges for science fairs, providing Toastmasters training,
organizing and conducting NRL tours and visits to other federal
agencies and Navy facilities, assisting in book donation drives,
managing career awareness programs and surplus computer and equipment
donations, and providing other services that help local students
reach their potential.
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About the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory
The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory provides the advanced scientific capabilities required to bolster our country's position of global naval leadership. The Laboratory, with a total complement of approximately 2,500 personnel, is located in southwest Washington, D.C., with other major sites at the Stennis Space Center, Miss., and Monterey, Calif. NRL has served the Navy and the nation for over 90 years and continues to advance research further than you can imagine. For more information, visit the NRL website or join the conversation on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.