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Mississippi Council of the Navy League Presents Stennis Award to Meridian Sailor
Story Number: NNS130614-22
6/14/2013

By Penny Randall, Public Affairs Specialist

NAS MERIDIAN, Miss. (NNS) -- A Sailor at Naval Technical Training Center Meridian was honored for her superior achievement Friday during graduation ceremonies on board NAS Meridian.

Arjen Lagendijk, president of the Mississippi Council of the Navy League, presented the prestigious Stennis Award to Ship Serviceman Seaman Courtney Cummings. A native of Portsmouth, Va., Cummings has an overall GPA of 99.36.

"I'm excited to receive this honor. I didn't see it coming," Cummings said. "I want to thank my instructors who helped me get this far. It makes it easier when you have instructors that you can go to, ask questions and feel like they care. I'm ready to get my Navy career started."

Cummings, who is transferring to the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) which is home ported in Norfolk, Va., is only the third Sailor to receive this honor in the past 2 1/2 years.

"NTTC graduates approximately 2,600 Sailors per year," said Cmdr. Brett St. George, commanding officer of NTTC. "Seaman Cummings embodies the type of Sailor we want to produce at NTTC. I look forward to following her Navy career. I know she is going to do great things."

The basic requirements to earn the Stennis Award include:
- Graduate with the top one or two GPA when compared with all graduates in the past 12 months.
- Complete more than two SHIPMATES (Students Helping Interesting People in the Meridian Area Through Enthusiastic Service) projects comprising five or more total hours. All SHIPMATES projects must be completed prior to finishing the last module of the curriculum. To not disadvantage a student who completes the curriculum quickly or has no volunteer opportunity due to lack of SHIPMATES events, this requirement can be waived with commanding officer approval.
-Meet all requirements for honor graduate and Accelerated Advancement Program candidacy. An HG is a student in the top 5 percent of the graduating class; and an AAP student is in the top 10 percent. Under the AAP program, recipients may be automatically advanced to E-4 between four and 10 months after arrival at their next command. Both programs have additional requirements that include passing all personnel and room inspections as well as meeting strict physical training standards. Excellent military bearing and professional performance are also required.
-Have the recommendation and endorsement of the course supervisor and fleet leader/administrator.

During her time at NTTC, Seaman Cummings participated in SHIPMATES projects at Relay for Life and LOVE's Kitchen.

Cummings, 24, has a start on her education. She holds an associate' s degree in business administration and is looking forward to earning her bachelor's degree in accounting.

It's more of family pride for Cummings. She wants to follow in her grandfather's footsteps and achieve the rank of at least chief petty officer.

The award is named after the late senator from Mississippi, the Honorable John C. Stennis, who was instrumental in bringing the air station to Meridian in 1961.

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For more news from Naval Air Station Meridian, visit www.navy.mil/local/nasmeridian/.