Over 30 High School Students Graduate from PHD NSWC's Inaugural FLAG Program

Esthela McKenzie

Students from Hueneme High School were presented with certificates from Port Hueneme Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center (PHD NSWC) Commander Capt. John Ailes (far left) in honor of their graduation from the Financial Literacy Advocates in Government (FLAG) program at a ceremony at PHD NSWC on Dec. 17.

Esthela McKenzie

Students from Rio Mesa High School were presented with certificates from Port Hueneme Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center (PHD NSWC) Commander Capt. John Ailes (far left) in honor of their graduation from the Financial Literacy Advocates in Government (FLAG) program at a ceremony at PHD NSWC on Dec. 17.

Port Hueneme Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center (PHD NSWC) celebrated the completion of the first two classes of its Financial Literacy Advocates in Government (FLAG) program with a graduation ceremony on Dec. 17. The FLAG program is a partnership between PHD NSWC and community high schools that seeks to imbue financial responsibility and money management skills in local teenagers. In celebration of their graduation from the program, students received certificates of recognition and a tour of PHD NSWC's Self Defense Test Ship, the remote-controlled decommissioned destroyer used to test combat, weapon and ship defense systems.

Over 30 students from Hueneme High School and Rio Mesa High School participated in the 7-week course through their schools' Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) classes, a college preparatory program for students falling in the academic middle. The course curriculum included classes in financial planning, budgeting, investing, handling credit, using financial services, insurance and career planning. Course instruction was provided by PHD NSWC employees who had received specialized training. The FLAG program was offered at no cost to the schools, and course materials were provided by the National Endowment for Financial Education.

"In the midst of the current economic crisis, now more than ever it is imperative that we provide young adults with the tools to be financially savvy, successful, and responsible," said PHD NSWC Commander Capt. John Ailes. "It is particularly satisfying when we are able to assist in helping them to become productive future leaders of our community, and we look forward to expanding this program to other schools."