By MCSN Brandon Martin, Navy Recruiting Command Public Affairs
MILLINGTON, Tenn. – Yeoman 3rd Class Breauna Smith, of Clarksville, Tenn., native, and admin awards clerk at Navy Recruiting Command (NRC) joined a group of fellow Sailors to participate in a community relations project at Millington Elementary School and Rivercrest Elementary School March 25 as part of the command’s Adopt-A-School Program.
The Sailors read books and answered questions about the Navy from students who ranged from pre-kindergarten to fourth grade.
The Adopt-A-School Program has given Sailors the opportunity to volunteer with local elementary schools on a monthly basis for the past two years.
Millington and Rivercrest students and faculty greatly appreciated the presence of the NRC Sailors.
“I love to see the Navy readers coming into our schools,” said Wilma Shaw, fourth grade teacher at Rivercrest Elementary School. “I think that letting them [children] know the different occupations of the Navy is an excellent way to reach out to students and give them other options.”
The primary objective of the visit was to promote reading in children at a young age.
“I think that the pre-k students get to see a real life application for the effects of reading and to see why it’s important to become a good reader,” said Rhonda Childress, pre-kindergarten teacher at Millington Elementary School. “When they see someone coming, especially people in uniform, that gives them something to look up to and aspire to be. “
The Adopt-A-School program allows ten NRC volunteers the privilege of serving the local community.
Some Sailors feel that spending time with the local children provides its own type of reward.
“My favorite part of this is being able to connect with the kids on their level and understand their life and views on life,” said Yeoman 3rd Class Breauna Smith, admin awards clerk for NRC.
NRC Sailors will continue to make similar school visits throughout the school year.