NEWPORT NEWS, Va., March 18, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HII HI I today held graduation exercises to celebrate 200 graduates of the company’s apprentice school at Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS). The ceremony took place at Liberty Live Church in Hampton.

Glenn Youngkin, Governor of Virginia, delivered the opening remarks.

“Newport News Shipbuilding Graduates: You’re building America, you’re leading America, you’re the backbone of America, and we’re so proud of you,” Youngkin said. “As Governor of Virginia, it has never been clearer that the path to America’s state of emergency runs right through your classrooms and dry docks. Congratulations on honing your skills and tireless dedication, you are the pride and future of Virginia.”

Photos accompanying this press release are available at: https://hii.com/news/hii-celebrates-200-graduates-of-the-newport-news-shipbuilding-apprentice-school/

Xavier Beale, NNS vice president of human resources and trade, addressed the graduates as the yard’s newest executives.

“You have chosen to follow the noble reputation of becoming a shipbuilder, dedicating yourself to building the most powerful aircraft carriers and nuclear-powered submarines in the world,” Beale said. “You have completed thousands of hours of rigorous classroom and on-the-job training to become experts in your fields. You graduate today, equipped with the craftsmanship, science and leadership needed to become our next generation of shipbuilding leaders to become.”

Jasmine Tutt received the Homer L. Ferguson Award, which recognizes the apprentice who has achieved the highest average of the required academic and trade marks. Tutt is the first African American woman to receive the award. She is an Electrical Engineer at NNS and has supported a variety of programs including Virginia-class submarine and Gerald R Ford-class aircraft carrier construction since joining HII in 2014.

Tutt first graduated from William & Mary with a degree in chemistry. During her time at Apprentice School, she earned a…