{"id":741069,"date":"2023-03-18T16:03:10","date_gmt":"2023-03-18T20:03:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/hii-celebrates-200-graduates-of-the-newport-news-shipbuilding-apprentice-school\/"},"modified":"2023-03-18T16:03:10","modified_gmt":"2023-03-18T20:03:10","slug":"hii-celebrates-200-graduates-of-the-newport-news-shipbuilding-apprentice-school","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/hii-celebrates-200-graduates-of-the-newport-news-shipbuilding-apprentice-school\/","title":{"rendered":"HII Celebrates 200 Graduates of\u00a0The Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School"},"content":{"rendered":"
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NEWPORT NEWS, Va., March 18, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HII (NYSE: HII) hosted commencement exercises today, celebrating 200 graduates of the company\u2019s Apprentice School at Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS). The ceremony was held at Liberty Live Church in Hampton.<\/p>\n

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin delivered the keynote commencement address.<\/p>\n

“Newport News Shipbuilding graduates: You build America, you run America, you are the backbone of America, and we are so proud of you,\u201d Youngkin said. \u201cAs Governor of Virginia, it’s never been clearer that the road to American exceptionalism runs right through your classrooms and dry docks. Congratulations on honing your skill and your relentless dedication, you are the pride and future of Virginia.”<\/p>\n

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Photos accompanying this release are available at: https:\/\/hii.com\/news\/hii-celebrates-200-graduates-of-the-newport-news-shipbuilding-apprentice-school\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Xavier Beale, NNS vice president of human resources and trades, addressed the graduates as the shipyard\u2019s newest leaders.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou chose to answer the noble call to become a shipbuilder, to give of yourself to build the world\u2019s most powerful nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines,\u201d Beale said. \u201cYou completed thousands of hours of rigorous classroom and on-the-job training to become experts in your fields. You graduate today, armed with the craftsmanship, scholarship and leadership necessary to become our next generation of shipbuilding leaders.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jasmine Tutt received the Homer L. Ferguson Award, which recognizes the apprentice graduating with the highest average in combined required academic and craft grades. Tutt is the first African American woman to receive the award. She is an electrical engineer at NNS and has supported a variety of programs, including Virginia<\/em>-class submarine and Gerald R. Ford<\/em>-class aircraft carrier construction, since joining HII in 2014.<\/p>\n

Tutt first graduated from William & Mary with a degree in chemistry. During her time at The Apprentice School, she earned an associate\u2019s degree in engineering from Tidewater Community College and a bachelor\u2019s degree in electrical engineering from Old Dominion University.<\/p>\n

During her address, Tutt asked graduates to reflect on the experiences that have shaped their apprenticeships and set them up for success as shipyard leaders.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re stronger together than we are alone. Don\u2019t forget those feelings as you help guide the next generation of apprentices and shipbuilders, because we\u2019ll leave today as new members of a unique community of graduates unlike any other,\u201d Tutt shared. \u201cWithin this community exists a bond of hard work, dedication, and sheer grit that is unique to having been an apprentice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Replay coverage of the ceremony is available at: https:\/\/hii.com\/events\/nns-as-graduation\/<\/a><\/p>\n

The following is a profile of the graduating class:<\/p>\n