Last Friday, Apprentice School Head Women's Basketball Coach Lanica Williams-Tallon got to experience life as a molder apprentice when she was invited to the foundry for a large non-ferrous pour by Apprentice School Craft Instructor Stephan Robertson.

The pour, for the Propeller Cap for CVN-78, was handled solely by foundry apprentices – Lady Builder freshman Shanae Hilliard pulled the plug, Sean Massey spotted the ladle, Johnathan Johnson was on the wheel, James Lipford was on the handle and Robertson was skimming and taking temperatures.

"I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to the foundry, it was quite an experience," said Williams-Tallon.  "Mr. Robertson and Shanae were great hosts.  I had the chance to learn about hot molten and how different metals are molded to create different structures and parts for the ships we build.  The more I learn about the crafts and duties that my players perform every day on the job, the more I am able to relate to them in a way that supports the mission of our school," she added."