Bossier High senior Quinton Hodge has his sights set on soaring into the blue skies when he graduates in 2027, and he is taking a giant step closer to getting there this summer.
Hodge and recent Haughton High graduate Charly McAnn were chosen to participate in the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program at STRIKEWERX, the innovation hub at Cyber Innovation Center (CIC) for Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC). The STRIKEWERX summer internship program is designed to give local students interested in pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) valuable hands-on experience working on projects for AFGSC alongside professional scientists and engineers.
“Being a part of the AFRL Scholar Program in the past has yielded great returns and we are excited to add more brain power with students from Bossier Parish high schools,” said Dr. Paul Hausgen, AFGSC interim chief scientist. “We are confident this is the first step in even more involvement that will further the development of new solutions for complex challenges.”
Hodge is the first student in the inaugural STEM Scholars Program. He plans to become a military pilot when he graduates from Bossier High, and is excited about the learning opportunities he is gaining through the summer internship.
“All of the skills they have to offer, from engineering and computer-aided design to teamwork collaboration … just learning to be in an environment full of people who all have one goal, that’s the main thing to get out of this internship,” Hodge said, following a signing ceremony.
“These scholars provide dedicated support that boosts the effectiveness and quality of research projects to advance Global Strike’s mission,” said Kevin Nolten, CIC president. “In turn, high schoolers get one-of-a-kind experience working hands on with real world national defense projects, opening new doors for their college and professional careers.”
STRIKEWERX has supported the AFRL Scholar Program with college students since 2022. McAnn, who will begin Louisiana Tech University in the fall, is the second high school student to take part in the program for AFGSC.
"This is an unparalleled opportunity that Charly and Quinton have been chosen for, and we are elated they will be participating in this inaugural internship in support of our partners at Barksdale Air Force Base and AFGSC,” said Bossier Schools Superintendent Jason Rowland. “We are strongly committed at Bossier Schools to offer students every educational experience within our reach and prepare them for the highly-skilled STEM workforce needed in our community and nation to remain at the forefront of global affairs."