Naval Aviation Schools Command (NASC) students were recognized for their volunteer efforts at Pensacola area schools May 4.

Pleasant Grove Elementary School's Parent Teacher Association (PTA) hosted a volunteer appreciation dinner for the flight students to thank them for tutoring the children during the 2016-2017 school year.

"The students form such a close bond and benefit not only from the tutoring but also the relationships they build," said Julie Pearson, assistant principal of Pleasant Grove Elementary. "The volunteers that come here teach the kids about where they are from and what it's like to have a professional job like being in the Navy."

NASC flight student volunteers were selected for the volunteer effort by NASC Administration Department Head Richard Johnson, who coordinates the volunteer efforts for the command.

"It's important that we take the time to give back to the community," said Johnson.

Ens. Diego Moreno, who is originally from Cuba, volunteers at Pleasant Grove and has been assisting with two children who recently moved to America.

"I am able to translate and talk to them at any time," says Moreno. "I remember when I first moved here, there was a huge language barrier and that was no fun. So I'm glad that I actually helped somebody."

NASC students have been volunteering at Pleasant View Elementary School, McArthur Elementary School and Ransom Middle School for the past two years. The volunteers will continue to be engaged with the schools summer programs until school resumes in the fall.

Naval Aviation Schools Command, located onboard Naval Air Station Pensacola, hosts courses including enlisted and commissioned training programs for aircrew, aviator, survival and prospective commanding officers.

NASC is part of the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT), which provides single site management for Navy and Marine Corps aviation technical training.

CNATT is the technical training agent for the Naval Aviation Enterprise (NAE), an organization designed to advance and sustain naval aviation warfighting capabilities at an affordable cost under Naval Education and Training Command.

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