Information Warfare Training Command (IWTC) Corry Station staff and student volunteer mentors met onboard Naval Air Station Pensacola Corry Station chapel for Saturday Scholars Program orientation, Feb. 3.

Corry Station's partnership with the Escambia County School District Saturday Scholars Program continues a 33-year-old tradition of participating in two mentoring sessions per year.

Chief Information Systems Technician Bill Kelley, IWTC Corry Station's Saturday Scholars coordinator, and Cmdr. Chad Smith, commanding officer of IWTC Corry Station, welcomed everyone and thanked them for volunteering as local community goodwill ambassadors.

"I truly believe you will get more out of this great opportunity than the students will," said Smith to the group of volunteers. "I want you to be totally committed to this great program for the next five weeks, and have fun while giving back to the community."

"The short time you spend with these children will impact them for the rest of their lives, serving as one of many steps they will take towards a successful future," added Kelley.

Representatives from Escambia County School District (ECSD) also attended the orientation and thanked the staff and student volunteer mentors.

The representatives included ECSD Superintendent of Schools Malcom Thomas; Principal Robin Maloy of Myrtle Grove Elementary School; and Jo McArthur, ECSD community involvement coordinator.

"Corry Station's participation with Saturday Scholars has touched the hearts and minds of thousands of students over the years," said Thomas.

"Thank you very much for taking time out of your busy schedules to help inspire students to reach for and realize their dreams," added Maloy. Each of you will make a lasting impression and an investment in our community's future."

For this 65th session, the mentors will team up with Myrtle Grove Elementary School students for a five-week period that includes a trip to the National Naval Aviation Museum and ends with a graduation ceremony at the school. Each Saturday, the mentors will assist the students with homework and learning activities, while also participating in fun physical activities and games too.

Saturday Scholars is an example of the Navy's Personal Excellence Partnership Program, which strives for excellence in developing the youth of surrounding communities by promoting academic achievement, healthy lifestyles, and civic responsibility.

Information Warfare Training Command Corry Station, as part of the Center for Information Warfare Training, provides a continuum of training to Navy and joint service personnel that prepares them to conduct information warfare across the full spectrum of military operations.

For more news from Center for Information Warfare Training, visit http://www.navy.mil/local/cid/, http://www.netc.navy.mil/centers/ciwt/, http://www.facebook.com/NavyCIWT, or http://www.twitter.com/NavyCIWT.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Center for Information Warfare Training, visit www.navy.mil/.