The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Vicksburg District signed a partnership agreement recently with Beechwood Elementary.

The agreement reaffirmed Beechwood Elementary as Vicksburg District’s adopt-a-school partner for the 2019-2020 school year.

Annually, the district participates in an adopt-a-school program with local schools to inspire future leaders in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics; enhance local understanding of the USACE mission; and encourage community outreach participation from USACE employees.

The district has participated in the local adopt-a-school program with schools in the Vicksburg Warren School District for more than 20 years. This is the second year the district has adopted Beechwood Elementary.

“We seek ways to give back to the local community, and this partnership with Beechwood is one of those efforts,” Vicksburg District Commander Col. Robert A. Hilliard said. “Our local schools are critical to building the future workforce, and so the district is proud to contribute in some small way to the wonderful work our teachers and administrators are already doing.”

In previous years, district employees have supported the adopt-a-school program by tutoring students, serving as proctors during state testing, judging science and reading fairs, speaking to students about water safety and STEM and much more.

The signing ceremony was attended by the district commander, as well as members of the district’s outreach committee and faculty, and staff and students from Beechwood Elementary. Students delivered the Pledge of Allegiance and introduced speakers during the engagement. The district’s outreach committee members met with Beechwood Elementary faculty and staff directly following the signing ceremony to outline partnership opportunities for the duration of the school year.

“I thank you for what you’ve done for Beechwood and look forward to another great year of partnership,” Beechwood Principal David Adams said.

The Vicksburg District encompasses a 68,000-square-mile area across portions of Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana that holds seven major river basins and incorporates approximately 460 miles of mainline levees. The district is engaged in hundreds of projects and employs approximately 1,100 personnel.