The welding class at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College’s West Harrison County Center in Long Beach has recently made a significant impact outside the classroom. This spring, they volunteered to build a jail cell for the Mississippi Aviation Heritage Museum in Gulfport, designed to highlight the experiences of Mississippi pilots and the hardships faced by POWs in Vietnam.

“My dentist asked us if we could volunteer to help the museum,” explained Kimmy Lizana, the welding instructor. “He is involved with the museum and put me in touch with the director, who explained what they needed. I discussed it with my students, and they were all eager to take on the project in addition to their required coursework. Ultimately, we all gained a deeper understanding of the Vietnam War and the trials endured by our pilots who were prisoners of war.”

Lizana and his students meticulously measured and constructed the metal jail cell in segments. They then transported these segments to the museum, carried them up a flight of stairs, and assembled them on site.

“It was a lot of work, and the semester was over by that time,” Lizana noted. “Students volunteered to help out during their summer break to complete the project.”

The Mississippi Aviation Heritage Museum, located on Pass Road in Gulfport, spans 33,000 square feet and features 22 galleries dedicated to the state’s rich aviation history. The museum’s executive director, Francisco Gonzalez, is enthusiastic about future collaborations with Lizana’s students to bring more exhibits to life.

“Operating on a shoe-string budget, it is vitally important for us to have volunteers like Mr. Lizana and his classes who are willing to help,” Gonzalez said. “We deeply appreciate their efforts and look forward to continuing this valuable partnership.”

For more information on the Mississippi Aviation Heritage Museum, visit msaviationmuseum.org.