BOCA RATON — Seven cadets from Civil Air Patrol’s (CAP) Boca Raton Composite Squadron earned scholarships to attend a Civil Air Patrol 2011 summer training program.
Five teenagers, Jonathan Burrage, Miller Caldwell, Johann Douglas, Daniel Henao and Juliana Mora, attended Florida Wing’s Encampment, styled after a military boot camp, held in early August at Camp Blanding in Starke. Cadet Hudson Rickard attended an encampment in Michigan. Cadet Second Lieutenant Zackery Macdonald returned for a second summer to Honor Guard Academy in Maryland.
A senior officer who wishes to remain anonymous offered $100 scholarship reimbursement for squadron cadets who wrote essays about why they joined Civil Air Patrol and what their goals are and submitted a certificate verifying successful completion of Civil Air Patrol training activity.
Eighth grader Cadet Daniel Henao said he joined because, “I always wanted to learn about aircraft and aerospace, because my dream is to fly an F22 Raptor and help America and protect it and serve it.”
Cadet Airman Caldwell said that though he has been “involved for a short time, I have learned a lot, including CPR, Operational Risk Management and other safety lessons that will serve me well.”
Cadet Hudson Rickard voiced that, “I also have enjoyed the friendships that I have made with some of the cadets in my squadron.”
Cadet Airman Burrage wrote in his essay, “I’m 13. I don’t usually think about goals. I just try to get good grades and pass my exams so I can be promoted to the next grade. However, CAP has started me thinking about my future.”
Cadet Senior Airman Johann Douglas stated his CAP goals are “learn to follow, learn to listen and learn to lead. Following, it may seem easy, but at times it can be the hardest thing to do.”
Twelve year old, Cadet Airman First Class Juliana Mora stated, “…after I leave Civil Air Patrol I would like for my life to include the four core values; integrity, volunteer service, excellence, and respect.”
Every year that the Boca Raton Pilots Association has offered a flight training scholarship, squadron cadets have been recipients. Since 2004 Boca cadets have also participated in the Veterans of Wars annual high school Voice of Democracy and middle school Patriot Pen scholarship contests.
Cadet Lt Colonel Christina Zarrilli has received several Civil Air Patrol scholarships. “The opportunities available to cadets are incredible,” she said. “The CAP training and leadership experience I gained has opened many doors for me.
The Boca Raton Composite Squadron meets Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Civil Air Patrol building at Boca Raton Airport. For more information call or email Squadron Commander 1st Lt. Douglas Macdonald at (561)-251-7935 or dbmac1@msn.com.