NSBC Award

Continuous working with a non-traditional Recreational Boating Safety (RBS) partnership paid off for Flotilla 3-10, D5 SR and its partner, Woodland Academy.  

Three students at the private school in Virginia won acclaim by participating in the National Safe Boating Council’s nationwide essay contest called “Why I Wear My Life Jacket”.  They were the only contest winners in Virginia.

Flotilla 3-10, whose Public Affairs (PA) Officer at the time won a national PA award for his project with the school in 2004, continued to work with the Academy’s Life Skills Teacher in 2005.   He did this to further institutionalize boating safety as part of the curriculum.  This included providing boating safety materials, web addresses for the Academy’s wed site, contest rules for the NBSC essay contest, and encouragement to students.

The Academy became a force multiplier and full partner in the Auxiliary’s RBS Outreach Program.

The Partnership’s pay-off was manifold.  Two students won 1st Place in their respective age group and one was awarded Honorable Mention.  The school Director announced the awards during Academic Night to the applause of 300 parents and impressionable students.  

Wayne Ploger, Commander, Flotilla 3-10, capped it off by presenting special recognition to the winners, the Life Skills Teacher and the Academy.  An article was sent to the five local newspapers in the school’s (and the Flotilla’s) service area.