Page 8 - Florida Sentinel 5-14-19

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Naval Academy’s Minority Association Aims To Attract More Candidates
The organization is focusing on STEM Middle Schools
As one of the founding members of The United States Naval Academy’s Mi- nority Association (NAMA) (https://www.usnama.org/)) came back from their 40th Class Reunion, Stanley Gray says he was shocked to find out that his Class still had the largest number of African American (AA) grad- uates. Even more than his son’s graduating class which graduated 30 years after his.
Two years ago, the Class of ’77 lost the claim of being the largest AA class. How- ever, they still have the largest male AA class.
As a result, what is re- ferred to as the “Tampa Con- nection” within the NAMA ranks, sat down to come up with a solution. NAMA was
Pictured left to right are: Carl Willis (NAMA), A. J. Walker (NAMA), Steve Rutherford (NAMA), Stanley Gray (NAMA), Germel Clarke (USNA Admissions), Chad Kenton (USNA Ad- missions), Steve Swift (Tampa Bay Area BGO) and Tom Minor (NAMA).
over 30 School Administra- tors, School Counselors and STEM Counselors about the Academy’s offerings: STEM Programs, Summer Pro- grams and the Admission Process. Invitations were sent to all of the County’s Public and Charter Schools.
The event was hosted by Tampa’s NAMA Members and coordinated with assis- tance of Dr. Larry Plank, who is responsible for STEM programs for Hillsborough County. In addition to school participation, there were Tampa Bay’s Blue and Gold Officers, Alumni Association and Dr. Stacy Hahn of the Hillsborough County’s School Board present.
If you or your student (6- 10 grades) have an interest in learning more about the Naval Academy, please con- tact us at WWW.US- NAMA.Org.
established with three core objectives.
The first is to attract more African American and Minor- ity candidates to attain an in- terest in the Naval Academy to pursue their undergradu-
ate degree. The emphasis is to focus on STEM Middle Schools.
Secondly, to help retain more Midshipmen with ac- tive mentoring programs for Midshipmen at the Academy.
And lastly, to assist Ma- rine and Navy Officers with their transition out of the service.
On May 6, The Naval Academy’s Admissions Office came to Tampa to talk with
PAGE 8 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2019