The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Vicksburg District continued to make a concrete positive impact on the future of Vicksburg Wednesday at Sherman Avenue Elementary.

During a formal ceremony at the school, the Corps renewed its school adoption contract with the school as it has for each of the past 10 years.

After the adoption certificate was signed, school officials met with the Vicksburg District’s adoption committee members to discuss how the district can assist the school during the year.

In the past, the Vicksburg District has provided mentors to students and tutors. The Corps has also helped lead students in the Pledge of Allegiance on Veterans Day, helped raise money for new playground equipment and participated in Earth Day activities.

Besides providing resources, Sherman Avenue Elementary principal Dr. Tameka Davis said, having the district adopt Sherman Avenue helps expose students to more science, technology, engineering and math.

The Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center are incredible resources to not just the economy in Vicksburg and Warren County, but also to the community as a whole for the impact their employees have.

ERDC has partnered with the Vicksburg Warren School District as part of the new career academy structure at the high school and through Mississippi State a first year engineering class is even being offered to high school students.

By getting involved in students’ academic careers the professionals in Vicksburg are helping to develop the next generation of researchers and engineers and working to give Vicksburg a leg up in workforce development.

District volunteers, Davis said, come to the school to work with the students on various projects, “And one of the big projects we want to do is have them come out and help build a boat for the front of the building.”

“I want the project to be as realistic as possible, and I want to see if we can get the actual material a boat is made of. I really want them to have a realistic approach to their learning and with project-based learning it’s a great way to introduce the math part of STEM, talking about angles and how much material will be needed.”

Thank you, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Vicksburg District and ERDC for your continued commitment to the future of Vicksburg and the students in the VWSD.