CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS!!
Each year, SAME's Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Camps help guide more than 200 high school students to pursue a STEM career and inspire many to apply to a service academy or ROTC. The camps rely on the volunteer support of mentors and staff from across SAME and beyond. There are many types of opportunities available. The pool of applicants is always impressive in their talents and achievements despite the obstacles they face.
HOWARD “WILSON” BORUM, IV has ambitions to become an aerospace engineering officer in the Air Force. Wilson is currently attending Grassfield High School and loves to run every night and is in multiple clubs including the environmental club. He is part of the Technology Student Association (TSA) which is an after school club that teaches animatronics and automation systems. “It is important to me that I can serve my country and help protect the ones I love.” Says Borum.
NAHUEL ALBAYRAK is from Crownsville, MD. This fall, Nahuel will be a junior at Chesapeake Science Point High School, in Hanover, MD. He is a member of the math and robotics team and received a County Citation for Outstanding Achievement in Math. Nahuel also was co-captain of the school robotics team at the Vex National competition in Iowa in 2017, and received a Naval Science Award from the Office of Naval Research Science and Technology for his science fair project on Cryptography and Stenography. He plays varsity and club soccer, and was part of the Olympic Development Team in 2016 and 2017. Nahuel is interested in Computer Science and Mechanical Engineering, but wants to experience a broad spectrum of STEM disciplines. His life motto is “the harder I work, the luckier I get”.
THANK YOU, FEDERAL ABILITYONE!
For our April program, At our April 4th membership meeting, the VPP was fortunate to have MSgt (Ret) Duncan Munro from the Virginia Industries for the Blind. He presented on the Federal AbilityOne Program and how it relates to government facility maintenance and construction programs. The 80 year old program requires federal agencies to purchase certain product made by legally blind or severely disabled people. It employs over 46,000 people across the country through a network of non-profit agencies. Most federal employees are familiar with the iconic Skillcraft black government issue pen procured through this program (which turned 50 in 2018). However, there are also mandatory purchase items such as soap dispensers, door hardware, and exit/emergency lighting that the government, or facility contractors working on a federal contract, must also purchase through the program.
MIX AND MINGLE AT VANGUARD
Thank you to everyone that was able to join us for our mix and mingle! The Virginia Peninsula Post hosted a social at the Vanguard Brewery, in Hampton, down King Street from Langley AFB. VPP provided appetizers of boneless chicken, each with a different dipping sauce. A few took advantage of the brewery’s tasty beverages but don’t worry, nobody needed an Uber to get home. A good time was had by all.
LEGO ROBOTIC TEAM!!
Thank you to the Grafton Bethel Elementary School Lego Robotics Team for joining us in January! The SAME VPP is proud to be a sponsor. This school year, the Lego theme was "challenges astronauts face in space". They designed a material that can be used to build a habitat on Mars called “legolith” made from plastic and regolith pressed into the shape of Legos. It has properties that will block radiation and is easy to build with. The robot team briefly explain what they learned, and demonstrated their robot on a 4 by 8 ft “mission mat” layout.
RECAP OF BUSH TOUR
On Monday, December 17, 2018 several SAME members enjoyed a tour of the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). They toured the hanger bay, flight deck, bridge, and the George H.W. Bush ship’s museum. The ship is a Nimitz Class nuclear aircraft carrier built by the Newport News Shipbuilding Company and was commissioned on January 10, 2009. 47,000 tons of structural steel and about a million pounds of aluminum make up this behemoth. The top speed exceeds 30 knots (34.5 mph) using four 21-feet diameter bronze screws (propellers) powered by two nuclear reactors. The ship carries over 80 combat aircraft and approximately 6,000 personnel. The ship towers 20 stories above the waterline with a 4.5-acre flight deck. Being 1,092 feet long, the ship is nearly as long as the Empire State Building is tall. The USS George H.W. Bush is named after the 41st President of the United States, who was also a naval aviator during World War II. She cost $6.2 billion.
Let's work together!
We have several vacant chair and co-chair positions available. So grab your friend and help us fill the Readiness, Individual and Sustaining Members, and Youth Program Chair. You'll meet wonderful people and help spread the SAME mission. Rick Dwyer has all the information and can get you started today!
VMI Student Chapter
We had a tremendous turn out at VMI's Student Chapter meeting!! It was very informative and 62 cadets are interested in learning more about SAME and what we offer. During our SAME meeting with the students, Jamie Weist, PE (with Kimley-Horn and VMI alum) discussed the benefits of SAME to the students, helped them register for SAME, and elected their officers. This meeting, they had officers from each branch of the military (Army, Navy, Air Force) give presentations on what it means to be an officer and engineer. Following the presentations, they enjoyed pizza and networking with the cadets.