Our state has over 7000 JROTC cadets in 330 public
schools,
primarily
in rural districts, and the large majority of these students are poor and have
limited or no
access to STEM programming and cutting- edge technology. STEM education, starting at
a young
age, is the key to sustainable careers for today's students and to the development
of the
workforce in our state. In the Flight Academy, we are partnering with American
Airlines with
the “Take Flight to Your Future” program, a career development program designed to
introduce
the exciting and growing field of commercial aviation to underserved and diverse
student
populations. This immersive and cutting-edge program is a powerful tool that shows
students
what they are capable of and the array of career choices that are attainable and
sustainable.
Most of these students have rarely traveled outside their community, and
many of these communities are some of the poorest in the country. These groups are eager to come
to Patriots Point, see the ship, learn about our country’s history and have the incredible
experience of the Flight Academy. Because we believe in the power of this program to change
lives
and address the cycle of poverty on an individual basis, the USS Yorktown Foundation has created
a dedicated fund for Title 1 JROTC/Sea Cadets/Student organizations to participate in the Flight
Academy and Overnight Camping Program at Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum. Funding is
need based and available to any middle or high school student group in our state. The fund will
be available on a first come, first serve basis, but our goal is to have enough funds available
at all times so that no student or group is turned away. Our goal is to raise and maintain
$50,000 for this fund.
As part of this effort, and with a goal of long-term program
sustainability, the USS Yorktown Foundation has established the MAC BURDETTE JROTC SCHOLARSHIP
ENDOWMENT
FUND in honor of the Museum’s recently retired long-term Executive Director. Mac is passionate
about
the
Foundation’s Scholarship Program, and the USS Yorktown Foundation is pleased to honor him by
committing
$20,000 to create the endowment.
We have a dedicated Board of Directors, committed staff
and
a
clear mission and we believe, with your
support and partnership, that we can make a difference in the lives of disadvantaged students in
the
state of South Carolina. Thank you for all you are doing to help end the cycle of poverty.
