Newport News Shipbuilding hosted commencement exercises Saturday celebrating the 77 graduates of The Apprentice School Class of 2024. The ceremony was held at Liberty Live Church in Hampton.

NNS President Kari Wilkinson addressed the graduates as the shipyard’s newest leaders.

“You have each signed up for an incredible, important mission,” Wilkinson said. “You literally build freedom for our nation, and I’m proud to stand beside you in doing so.”

A majority of this year’s class joined The Apprentice School in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the school significantly reduced normal enrollment.

Travis Johnson received the Homer L. Ferguson Award, which recognizes the apprentice graduating with the highest average in combined required academic and craft grades.

Johnson joined NNS in 2018 as a pipefitter working in the new construction aircraft carrier program. In 2020, he was accepted into The Apprentice School. Today, he is a pipefitting instructor at the school, teaching students who are pursuing the same path he chose.

“Today is proof that we are strong, capable, and can accomplish anything if we refuse to give up,” Johnson shared. “But this isn’t the finish line; it’s actually just the beginning. So as you step into your next chapter – whatever that may be – remember what you’ve learned.”

Following the ceremony, graduates reflected on the challenges they faced and the next steps to come.

“This means everything,” said Daniel Holt. “All of the hard work we’ve put in through COVID, to be able to celebrate with everyone now is awesome.” Holt was recently promoted to foreman on Enterprise (CVN 80) and looks forward to his continued development there.

Felicia Wilson is grateful to her family for their relentless support. “I owe it all to my children,” she said. “My children helped me finish this through COVID – I’m 47 years old. It was a lot of work, a lot of dedication, a lot of long nights and a lot of tutoring, but the satisfaction it gives is so wonderful. I encourage everyone who comes through our doors to become an apprentice.”

The following is a profile of the graduating class:

• Twenty graduates completed an optional advanced program, earning an associate or bachelor’s degree. The program includes coursework in subjects and fields such as marine design, nuclear testing, production planning, supply chain, metrology and marine engineering.
• Thirty-six graduates earned honors, a combination of academic and craft grades that determine overall performance.
• Forty-one graduates earned an associate of applied science degree in maritime technology.
• Thirty-seven graduates completed Frontline FAST, an accelerated skills training program for potential foremen.
• Eight graduates completed the World Class Shipbuilder Curriculum and advanced optional program with a perfect 4.0 grade point average.
• Six graduates are military veterans or are currently serving in the armed services as reservists and guardsmen.
• Thirteen graduates earned Gold Athletic Awards.

View the event album from a personal device. Replay coverage of the ceremony is available on HII’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.