Young Elites of the Eastern Shore West to East Coast Aviation Networ

Y.E.E.S. W.E. C.A.N. was founded in 2017 to connect our elite youth with the diverse arena of aviation, aerospace.   We are an educational program serving youth of all backgrounds on the lower shore and beyond 

Founded in 2018 by Dr. Cheryl A. Walker, Y.E.E.S. W.E. C.A.N. (Young Elites of the Eastern Shore – West to East Coast Aviation Network) is dedicated to empowering youth through STREAM education (Science, Technology, Research, Engineering, Arts, and Math) with an emphasis on aviation, aerospace, and technology.

Operating on the campus of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), we serve primarily traditionally underserved and underrepresented students from Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties, as well as surrounding areas of the Eastern Shore. Our bi-weekly Saturday sessions offer hands-on courses in:

• Drones & Flight Control (FAA prep and certification)
• Python Coding & Computer Technology
• 3D Printing & CAD Design
• CompTIA Certification Preparation
• Engineering and Aeronautics Foundations
• Cultural Cuisine (global awareness and cultural science)
• Public Speaking and Leadership Development

Our goal is to bridge the opportunity gap for rural and underserved youth by giving them meaningful exposure to careers in aviation, aerospace, and STEM fields—pathways that are often inaccessible in their local schools or communities.

Over the past eight years, Y.E.E.S. W.E. C.A.N. has helped launch students into collegiate and career trajectories, including several now enrolled in aviation programs at UMES. In partnership with Our Shades of Blue, NASA, and General Atomics, we’ve built a growing network of STEM education advocates across Maryland and beyond.