On Saturday, a special christening was held in Newport News, Va., for the the USS Arkansas, and a group representing Mountain Home was among those in attendance. A group of students from the NJROTC at Mountain Home High School Career Academies served as the Color Guard for the christening of the new Virginia-class attack Naval submarine, and they were joined by Principal Mary Beth Russell, Mountain Home Public Schools Superintendent Allyson Dewey and Mountain Home Mayor Hillrey Adams.
Dewey says the students were in awe of the event.
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Dewey says the students were invited to a post-christening reception later in the day.
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In addition, the state of Arkansas was represented by members of the Little Rock Nine, known historically for becoming the first black students to attend the formerly all-white Little Rock Central High School in 1957. The six women of the group served as the submarine’s sponsors. Dewey says the NJORTC students were able to visit with Carlotta Walls, one of the Little Rock Nine.
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In addition to the christening, learning opportunities were provided for the students. They toured the USS New Jersey submarine, visit the submarine training facility in Norfolk, Va., and toured an aircraft carrier.
Dewey says she wants the community to know the students in attendance for the christening were provided a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
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Their trip will conclude Monday with a trip to Vanderbilt to visit its ROTC.
Left to right: Naval Commander Mike Huber, Congressman French Hill and Mountain Home Mayor Hillrey Adams
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