Individuals Recognized For Community Involvement with Local School Distric

By Katherine Mapp, NSWC PCD Public Affairs

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (NNS) -- Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD) employees logged over 3,000 volunteer-service hours with Bay District Schools during the 2014-2015 school year.

The 5th Annual Educational Partnership Awards was held at Naval Support Activity Panama City (NSA PC), June 9.

At the ceremony, NSA PC Commanding Officer Cmdr. Christopher Serow, along with Bay District School Board Superintendent Bill Husfelt, recognized military members and civilian employees who have served as both mentors and volunteers in the public schools. Educators were honored as well after being nominated by military members for going above and beyond for their military-dependent children in Bay District Schools.

"I continue to be impressed with the character and commitment of our people," said NSWC PCD Deputy Division Technical Director Dave Tubridy. "This year we had over 35 individuals who met the 10-hour volunteer hour criteria for recognition in the Education Partnership Awards."

Tubridy said there is no doubt the NSWC PCD workforce has had a profound and lasting impact on the students' lives within the local school district.

"Honestly, it is this kind of volunteerism that makes our community so rich and the command so very proud," he said.

According to Lynda Brown, NSA PC school liaison officer, all of the base employees who were recognized have positively impacted the lives of more than 8,400 children this school year.

Brown said these individuals have gone the extra mile to contribute their personal time to volunteering with children in our community and encouraging the learning process, as well as reiterating the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Serow and Husfelt expressed their sincerest gratitude throughout the ceremony.

"Supporting military dependents who attend our schools is of utmost importance," Husfelt said. "Teachers, with the support of our administration and staff throughout our school district, recognize the special challenges for those who serve in the military and we understand that it is the entire family that serves."

Lisa Miller, a teacher from North Bay Haven Charter Academy, was recognized at the ceremony for her hard work and determination as a hospital home-bound teacher for the son of Brenna Williams, NSWC PCD strategic analyst. In January 2015, Williams' son had major surgery and was out of school for almost two months. As a home-bound teacher, Mrs. Miller went above and beyond to ensure that Williams' son understood all of the material and was up to date on all of his assignments. As a result of Miller's contentious efforts, Williams' son earned straight A's on his report card.

"Without Mrs. Miller's professional and extra effort, his academic success would not have been possible," Williams said. "We are very grateful for her efforts to ensure his learning continued during that difficult time and also to ensure his goal of attending the university of his choice was not impeded."