Will Witness And Experience Government In Action
Twenty-four of Civil
Air Patrol's top cadets from across the nation are gaining a head
start in their public service careers by participating in one of
the nation's leading civic education activities, the Civic
Leadership Academy, from February 21-28 in Washington, DC.
The CLA, an academically intense, interactive study of US
government in action, provides participants the opportunity to grow
as citizens and young leaders through lessons in persuasive
leadership, federal government, public service careers and American
heritage.
"Civic Leadership Academy provides cadets an unrivaled
opportunity to gain a well-rounded understanding of leadership,
public service and the principles that guides our nation. This
activity empowers our cadets to apply those principles in their own
lives and to be thoughtful participants in our nation's future,"
said CAP National Commander Maj. Gen. Amy S. Courter, CLA's
founding director.
In addition to a blend of field trips, lectures, seminars and
assigned readings from historic and modern sources., the cadets
will visit the US Capitol, the Supreme Court, the Judiciary
Building, the State Department, Arlington National Cemetery, the
Central Intelligence Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation,
the Pentagon, legislative offices and the Smithsonian Air and Space
Museum, as well as World War II, Korea, Vietnam and Lincoln
memorials. They will also encounter VIP speakers onsite who will
provide insights designed to deepen their understanding of
government in action. Their CLA tasks will culminate with a final
project – a presentation on their CLA experience they will
give to their peers in their home squadrons.
The CLA cadets will also participate in CAP's 2009 Legislative
Day on February 26 by working alongside their wing commanders to
brief legislators on how CAP's primary missions -- search and
rescue, emergency services, aerospace education and cadet programs
-- have benefited their communities.
Those cadets are:
Alabama:
- Cadet Lt. Col. Aaron Hanes, Foley
Arizona:
- Cadet Capt. Laura Beck, Tucson
Florida:
- Cadet 1st Lt. Tim Lhota, Newberry
- Cadet 2nd Lt. Chris Pannier, Pembroke Pines
Maryland:
- Cadet 2nd Lt. Kathleen Crockett, Keymar
- Cadet Capt. Matthew Herten, Lusby
Minnesota:
- Cadet Col. Charles Cox, Edina
- Cadet 2nd Lt. Katherine Jones, St. Paul
Montana:
- Cadet Capt. Casey Hoffman, Clancy
Nevada:
- Cadet Lt. Col. James McLaughlin, Las Vegas
New Jersey:
- Cadet Capt. Emily Greiner, Bogota
- Cadet Lt. Col. Zachary King, Newport
- Cadet Lt. Col. Stasia Rogacki, North Caldwell
Oregon:
- Cadet 1st Lt. Mitch Platman, Portland
- North Dakota:
- Cadet Col. Heidi Klein, Grand Forks
- Pennsylvania:
- Cadet Capt. Noah Bendele, Newfoundland
- Cadet 2nd Lt. Steven Lazar, Philipsburg
Puerto Rico:
- Cadet Capt. Holly Bevagna, Hatillo
South Dakota:
- Cadet Col. Francesca Fogarty, Sioux Falls
Tennessee:
- Cadet Capt. Medardo Hernandez, Antioch
- Cadet Lt. Col. Marcos More, Tullahoma
Washington:
- Cadet Capt. Win Mason, Bellevue
Wisconsin:
- Cadet 2nd Lt. Amanda Folberg, Grafton
- Cadet Capt. Niko Ruud, Milwaukee
In recognition of the program's outstanding academic value, The
National Association of Secondary School Principals has again
placed CLA on the National Advisory List of Contests and Activities
for 2009-10.
Legislative Day will be held in conjunction with CAP's Winter
National Board meeting, which is slated for Feb. 27-28 at the
Crystal City Marriott, Arlington, VA. The CAP National Board
consists of 69 members representing each state, Puerto Rico and the
District of Columbia, within the organization's eight regions. The
board is CAP's policy-making arm and in conjunction with the CAP
Board of Governors, proposes amendments to the governing
constitution and bylaws.
CLA cadets will also be special guests at The Spaatz Association
Winter Dinner Event hosted by The Spaatz Association, a nonprofit
organization of current and former cadets who have achieved CAP's
highest honor -- the Gen. Carl A. Spaatz Award. The event will be
held at 6 pm February 28 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott.