Student beach bash a hit with children, parents and teachers

Published May 6, 2013
By Nelly Richards
6th Force Support Squadron school liaison officer

MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Military students change schools frequently, moving between six to nine times during their military lives - three to six times more than their peers.

With such frequent relocations, it is important to have systems in place to connect military students with other students, not only at school, but also in their new communities. For that reason, the Parent Advocate for Students and School volunteer committee at MacDill Air Force Base hosted a military student beach bash April 18 at the Seascapes Beach Pavilion.

Military high school and middle school students attended the beach bash. Brad DeThomas, Robinson High School military Student-to-Student member, welcomed the students to the beach bash. He expressed appreciation to the Airman & Family Readiness Center staff and the PASS volunteer committee for organizing the event.

The beach bash offered military students an opportunity to meet new friends while they enjoyed two hours of games, music and food. Many parents were impressed with the social and creative skills of the military students; especially when they congregated at a volleyball court forming multiple rows of players to play a game which was well organized and full of laughter -- as well as energy and team spirit.

While the students engaged in games, parents were able to engage in conversation with the principals and faculty members from Robinson High School, Monroe Middle School and Orange Grove Magnet School of the Arts.

"I promised the students I would be here," said Andrea Stingone, Monroe Middle School lead teacher. "I think is important for them to see that we care about them."

PASS volunteers were amazed with the phenomenal turnout.

"I can't believe the number of kids that came," said Chief Master Sgt. Gregory Parmer, 6th Maintenance Group superintendent. "This is great." Parmer shared cooking and photography duties with Master Sgt. Garrick Hill, 6th Logistics Readiness Squadron first sergeant.

The PASS volunteer committee did a lot of work to set up the beach bash for the students. Thank you to Marta DeThomas, Tori Molineux, Mariel Beniquez, Sharene Brown, Alison Hill, Garrick Hill, Julie Hodges, Kristine Keyser, Dr. Dora Mays, Jen Mundy, Parmer, Jennifer Vietas and Brad DeThomas for their extraordinary work in support of the 6th Air Mobility Wing commander's vision to build a community of support around military children and students.