PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) -- Fifty-eight students from Jim Allen Elementary School graduated from the Saturday Scholars Program in a ceremony held at the Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola chapel Nov. 21.
Center for Information Dominance (CID) Unit Corry Station continued a long tradition of partnering with the Escambia County school district to have volunteers spend Saturday mornings, mentoring students and exploring science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) concepts. The program has been in place for 31 years with a command from NAS Pensacola Corry Station supporting a session at a different school each spring and fall, with this fall marking the 61st session.
"The program's great, the Sailors enjoy it, and I think the best part about it is the elementary school kids," said Cryptologic Technician (Technical) 1st Class Phillip Higgins, an instructor at CID Unit Corry Station and assistant coordinator for the Saturday Scholars Program. "They are just constantly smiling and constantly excited when we arrive. I hear they are all doing better at math and science, too."
For four consecutive Saturdays, the children investigated stations side by side with their mentors around STEM topics such as the water cycle and building model bridges to foster critical-thinking and teamwork skills. They played math-based games in small groups in a math room, and a computer lab offered academic skills and basic computing games. An outside station allowed the students and mentors to play a sport, such as basketball and kickball.
"The difference that we see in some students is remarkable, as they learn about not only the military and the world, as we have some students who have never even left Cantonment, but they also learn so much about how to interact with others and handle themselves socially," said Rachel Watts, principal of Jim Allen Elementary School in Cantonment, Florida. "Children who have this opportunity get transformed by the process, and the impact is long lasting."
For the mentors, who were Navy "A" and "C" school students at CID Unit Corry Station, the experience was a new opportunity to reconnect with a younger generation and make a difference in a child's life.
"I've never been involved in a volunteer program of this nature," said Cryptologic Technician (Technical) Seaman Apprentice Michael Alves. "Interaction with children is important, as you get so used to interacting with people your age on base and (are) constantly in a learning environment, you don't really know what's it's like to be a kid, so it brings you back. It's fun."
For Cryptologic Technician (Technical) Seaman Apprentice Jordyn Calhoun, the time spent with her student helped her appreciate the opportunity to motivate or inspire others, particularly for students who have a lot going on in their lives.
"I've worked with one particular student, and he's going through some personal issues, so it's really nice to see that he opens up and that he has some sort of fun," said Calhoun, during the fourth Saturday session. "When I first started, and he was just starting too, he did not seem very interested or into it. But now when I see him, he just looks so happy, and he really looks like he's enjoying himself."
Following the graduation, the students and their mentors spent time exploring the National Naval Aviation Museum at NAS Pensacola, which many of the students had never visited.
"The other magical aspect of the program is seeing the Sailors grow and learn from our kids as well," said Watts. "It's just a great program for everyone involved, and we couldn't be happier to be a part of it."
Saturday Scholars is an example of the Navy Community Service's Personal Excellence Partnership Program, which strives for excellence in developing the youth of surrounding communities by promoting academic achievement, healthy lifestyles and civic responsibility.
To learn more about the Navy Community Service Program, visit http://www.cnic.navy.mil/om/base_support/command_and_staff/public-affairs/navy-community-service-program.html.
CID Unit Corry Station delivers Navy and joint forces training in information operations, information warfare, information technology and cryptology, for approximately 12,000 service members each year. With a staff of 300 military and civilian instructors, CID Unit Corry Station oversees the development and administration of 39 courses of instruction.
For more information on CID Unit Corry Station, visit www.netc.navy.mil/centers/ceninfodom/corry/.
For more news from the Center for Information Dominance, visit www.navy.mil/local/cid/.