Carlsbad, CA – Army and Navy Academy was the grateful recipient of a community impact collaboration between Job Corps of San Diego and the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades.
The effort was organized by Academy Alumnus, Herman Becario, Class of 86, who has been returning to campus for Alumni Weekend for the last eight years with a small group of brothers from the graduating classes of 1983-1987. Becario had noticed over the years that some areas of campus needed repair and beautification.
Becarrio is a business agent with the Union of Painters and Allied Trade, District Council 36, and has worked with them for the last 18 years. This international trade union is a leading labor resource for crafts such as Paint, Drywall Finishing, Floor Laying, Glazing, Tradeshow, and Sign & Display. The union offers training and apprenticeships including a collaboration with the San Diego Job Corps that provides pre-apprenticeships for youths aged 16-24 years old.
Beccario shared, “I love my school, it’s a big part of who I am. When I go out, I wear my ANA shirts and people come up to me all the time to tell me they went to the school or had a family member who did. I love making that connection.”
“Our organization does things like this in the community pretty often and we are always looking for good projects. When I told my colleagues about ANA, its history, and how the school helped me become who I am, they loved the idea of doing restoration at the Academy.”
Three female members of the Job Corps pre-apprenticeship program along with painting instructor, Ceasar Zepeda, were on-site stripping and painting exterior areas of the Academy’s beachfront Recreation Hall which had been damaged from years of exposure to salty air and intense sun rays.
These ladies had already completed 50% of the required certifications for their pre-apprenticeship program. When they graduate, they will receive their IUPAT pre-apprenticeship program certificate enabling them to join the union as painter apprentices which is a 4-year program.
Academy President, Major General Peggy Combs (US Army Retired) said, “Seeing our graduates selflessly paying it forward by giving back to the Academy is the best testament to what our Academy has done in developing young men of character and virtue for over 113 years. Our purpose is not only to prepare our young men academically but to develop them into selfless servant leaders who contribute to the betterment of our society and our world. We are exceptionally proud of Herman and all our Alumni. ”
Founded in 1910, Army and Navy Academy is a private school in Carlsbad, CA geared exclusively for boys in grades 7-12. Students come from around the country and the world for our top-notch day and boarding school education. Our boy-centric approach combines a curriculum based on tried-and-true University of California standards, West Point-style leadership training, California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) athletics, dynamic clubs, activities, and trips. Our mission is to educate, mentor, and develop good character in young men.
For more information about the Army and Navy Academy, please visit www.armyandnavyacademy.org.
For more information about the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, please visit https://www.dc36.org.
For more information about San Diego Job Corps please visit https://sandiego.jobcorps.gov
