ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill., March 12, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Defensive Systems Division recently hosted a reception honoring the parents of 15 students participating in its Rolling Meadows facility's inaugural WORTHY (Worthwhile To Help High School Youth) mentoring and scholarship program.
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Designed to encourage and advance program participants' pursuits of technical degrees, the WORTHY program provides on-the-job experience and improved access to secondary education.
Before an audience that included students, their families, mentors and school officials, Robert Del Boca, sector vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman's Defensive Systems Division, expressed the importance of the company's continued commitment to community involvement.
"We decided to host this reception because it afforded participants' parents the opportunity to become more familiar with the WORTHY program, and the chance to meet the mentors and other members of the Northrop Grumman family who are helping to foster the continued success of their children," said Del Boca. "But, just as important, it allowed us the opportunity to commend these parents for the crucial role they've played in raising such great kids."
"At Northrop Grumman, we are devoted to assisting the surrounding community's brightest students in their pursuit of a higher education in engineering and related fields through educational outreach efforts such as WORTHY," said Carl Smith, Northrop Grumman vice president of Infrared Countermeasures. "We look forward to the opportunity to help these promising young people hone their personal skills as they continue their educational pursuits."
A total of 34 Northrop Grumman employees specializing in business, program management and various engineering disciplines have volunteered to serve as mentors. This year, the students, with the help of their mentors, will be working on individual projects, which will be presented at an event hosted by the executive staff at the conclusion of the school year.
Initially launched in 1997 by Northrop Grumman in Baltimore, WORTHY is now being expanded to include additional locations. Rolling Meadows' organizers aim to recruit five new students each year. In order to be eligible for the program, rising high school sophomores and juniors must attend a Northrop Grumman-partnered Chicago public high school or surrounding suburban school, maintain a 3.0+ grade point average (GPA) during the course of the program and have earned a 3.0+ GPA for at least two consecutive semesters prior to applying. Participants are also required to submit a three-part essay, provide a letter of recommendation from a high school counselor or community leader and be eligible to obtain a U.S. Department of Defense security clearance. Mentors must also apply and pass a background check.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a $32 billion global defense and technology company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide.
