By NORINE ROWE
NAS Patuxent River Public Affairs

PATUXENT RIVER NAVAL AIR STATION, MD—St. Mary’s County Public Schools could not succeed without the help of volunteers.

That’s the message that Superintendent of Schools Pat Richardson delivered during a volunteer recognition ceremony in Leonardtown April 10.

Among those recognized at the Board of Education meeting were NAS Patuxent River volunteers who serve in the county’s public schools through the station’s Personal Excellence Partnership program.

“When it comes to volunteer support, we’re the richest county in Maryland,” said Richardson, explaining that St. Mary’s County Public Schools received more than 80,000 hours of volunteer support during the past school year.

In addition to praising school volunteers throughout the community, Richardson specifically cited the contributions of station employees.

“One of the most highly valued resources in this community is the Navy,” Richardson said. “Year after year, the Navy takes on the challenge of being part of this community, not just talking about being part of it, but really getting out there in the schools.”

Providing one-on-one tutoring is one way that station employees help local students improve academic performance and increase self-esteem. That kind of attention, Richardson said, can really make a difference in a child’s life.

“Helping a child believe in themselves, that’s where the real power is,” Richardson said. “I hope you know how much we treasure, value and appreciate what you’re doing for our children and our schools.”

Also speaking at the event was Dr. Janice Walthour, academic intervention and volunteer coordinator for St. Mary’s County Public Schools, who talked about the wide range of support services volunteers provide, from helping with tutoring, incentive and literacy programs to serving on school committees and assisting teachers with administrative work.

“You are the circle of friends that encourages our children,” Walthour said. “Thank you for giving your time and talent. We are so, so thankful for all that you do.”

One honoree, Capt. Stu Paul, executive director of NAVAIR’s Aviation Division, offered a few comments about the Personal Excellence Partnership between his division and Lexington Park Elementary School.

“The staff at Lexington Park Elementary creates a very positive environment so that our people like to volunteer there,” Paul said. “I pass on a salute to them and to the other schools.”

The recognition program was held in honor of National Volunteer Week, April 27 through May 3. The theme for the week is “Volunteers always caring, always sharing.” School volunteers attending the program received certificates of appreciation, and many will be recognized in upcoming ceremonies at individual schools.

-USN-

Photo by Norine Rowe
Pat Richardson, superintendent of St. Mary’s County Public Schools, congratulates ADCS John Hogg of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 21 during a school volunteer recognition ceremony April 10 at a Board of Education meeting. Other HX-21 squadron members attending the ceremony are, from left, AM2 Richard Frakes, AM1(AW) Phillip Walter, Hogg, and Cmdr. John Hardison.