HYLA visits Stennis to continue economic development tour

​ For Immediate Release:
May 14, 2018
HYLA visits Stennis to continue Economic Development Tour
 
On May 2, 2018, high school juniors participating in the Hancock Youth Leadership Academy continued their journey of economic development in Hancock County by visiting the John C. Stennis Space Center.  The economic development session was the fifth session for the high school juniors and was sponsored by Aerojet Rocketdyne. Students began the day with an overview and briefing on internship and career opportunities at Stennis before traveling to the Naval Meteorology and Oceanographic Command Center. There they were able to view the tools used for scientific exploration of the ocean floor.
 
Aerojet Rocketdyne, a world recognized aerospace leader in propulsions, sponsored both lunch and a tour of their facility. It is here that large liquid rocket engines are assembled and tested.  Next on the agenda was an amazing tour of NASA’s Propulsion Test Complex where the young leaders were able to walk to the top of A2 test stand where engines for all manned Apollo and space shuttle flights have been tested and where next-generation engines that will once again carry humans into deep space will be tested.
 
Students then met with Hamish Guthrie, General Manager of Rolls-Royce Outdoor Jet Engine test facility and discussed career opportunities with the students as well as why Stennis Space Center was a good home for their company.  Students were taken on a windshield tour of the $50 million outdoor jet engine test stand.
 
The full day came to a close at the Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School (NAVSCIATTS) where students learned how this Naval Special Warfare Command trains and educates foreign Special Operation Forces.  The students were amazed to learn that the more than 11,500 students from 100 plus partner nations have graduated from this school since 1963.
 
The Hancock Youth Leadership Academy is the first and only county-wide youth leadership program in Hancock County, and is a program of The Hancock Resource Center.  Moving forward, local community sponsorships are needed.  Please consider sponsoring a session or making a general donation to support the ongoing operation of the Hancock Youth Leadership Academy.  Invest in Hancock County’s future by cultivating its next generation of leaders: visit www.hancockhrc.org or call 228-463-8887 to learn how.
 
 
Picture #1  HYLA students pictured with Aerojet Rocketdyne RS-25 Flight Engine: Designated to be flown on a NASA Space Launch System (SLS) mission. 1st row: (left to right) Hannah Pitalo (OLA), Ahmia Khadaroo (Bay High), Harleigh Lafontaine (Hancock), Wallis Mortillaro (OLA), Isabelle Gelpi (OLA), Savannah Lafontaine (Hancock), and Blake Comeaux (Hancock).
2nd Row:  Liam McKeon (Bay High), Marguerite Gelpi (OLA), Maleah Austin (Hancock), Katie Ingram (OLA), Taylor Slade (OLA), Kearsten Shaw (Hancock), Alexander Fuller (Saint Stanislaus), and Trace Rhodes (Saint Stanislaus).
3rd Row:  Shelbe McColley (Bay High), Brenna Labyak (Bay High), Brianna Mitchell (Hancock), Kennady Hertz (OLA), Margaret Spencer White (OLA), and Alex Koons (Saint Stanislaus).

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