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.

FMI: www.cap.gov, www.gocivilairpatrol.com