Collier NAACP to send six students for week-long residency at Naval Air Station Pensacola

Erin Dever, the district deputy director for U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, hands Michael Ferro, 16, a letter from the senator during the fifth annual deployment squadron ceremony for the NAACP Leadership in Flight Training students at the Naples Airport General Aviation Center in Naples on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

Six students from Collier County will travel to the panhandle for a week-long residency aboard a simulated aircraft carrier at Naval Air Station Pensacola and get a taste of life as a naval aviator.

The students were a part of the county’s NCAAP Leadership in Flight program. On Wednesday, the Naples Airport Authority hosted them, their families and local leaders to celebrate the students.

“We are so proud of the candidates that are going on this flight mission,” said Collier County Sheriff’s Office Chief Stephanie Spell, who helped found the program with NAACP of Collier County President Vincent Keeys. “We just congratulate you and are so proud that you are representing your county, your community, your school with this very special opportunity.”

This is the fifth time students have been sent to the air station for the program. The students will spend the week aboard the Ambition. The virtual aircraft carrier was designed to replicate a modern carrier. According the National Flight Academy, the main deck houses the galley, mess deck, administrative spaces and the aircraft hangar bays. The first deck is dedicated to academic spaces including the operations and intelligence centers. The second and third decks house sleeping quarters, team-building compartments and activity rooms.

People onboard the Ambition will take part in missions meant to test the student’s mental agility, preparedness, and communication skills, while demonstrating the importance of teamwork and goal completion.

Sara Henao smiles while speaking with NAACP President Vincent Keeys during the fifth annual deployment squadron ceremony for the NAACP Leadership in Flight Training students at the Naples Airport General Aviation Center in Naples on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

Through consistent simulator experience and immersive role-play, they will also have ample opportunity to see firsthand how those in naval aviation respond to and avert emergencies in real life.

“It’s the experiences that you’re going to get that are going to shape what you want to do, but I wish you well,” said Collier County Commissioner Rick LoCastro. “I wish you luck but now the responsibility is on you.”

Collier County Commissioner Rick LoCastro applauds the six students during the fifth annual deployment squadron ceremony for the NAACP Leadership in Flight Training students at the Naples Airport General Aviation Center in Naples on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

After the ceremony to celebrate the students wrapped up, Erin Dever, the district deputy director for U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, presented each student with a letter from the senator while Spell gave each one a challenge coin for their accomplishment.

“I am so very proud of these young new candidates that are headed off to the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida,” Keeys said. “I want you to know that you are joined by Collier County and the greatest that we have.”

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Collier NAACP to send six students for week-long residency at Naval Air Station Pensacola