Civil Air Patrol Cadets Compete at Connecticut Wing Competition

HARTFORD / WATERBURY, Conn. - March 25, 2013 - PRLog -- Four cadet drill teams and color guards from across Connecticut met at New Fairfield High School on March 23, 2013 for a competition exemplifying excellence and the spirit of the more than 420-strong cadets in the Connecticut Wing Cadet Program.

Cadets from Danbury, Hartford, New Fairfield and Waterbury matched wits, physical fitness and attention to detail in a competition for which many spend months preparing, often overcoming financial and time constraints, to train with their teams. Major Ken Chapman, Connecticut Wing Director of Cadet Programs, commended the efforts made by participants and their support staffs noting "this is the first drill team competition held by Connecticut Wing in almost a decade."

The 801st Cadet Squadron from New Fairfield, CT won first place in the color guard competition.

Cadet Senior Master Sergeant Connor Guzda (801st) received outstanding color guard cadet.

The 143rd Composite Squadron from Waterbury, CT won first place in the drill team competition.

Cadet Tech. Sergeant Sabrina Rautter (801st New Fairfield) received outstanding drill team cadet.

Cadet Airman First Class Shelby Simpson (801st New Fairfield) won the boys fastest mile run.

Cadet Tech. Sergeant Sabrina Rautter (801st New Fairfield) won the girls fastest mile run.

Colonel Llyod Sturges, serving as Chief Judge for Connecticut Wing, organized an impressive panel to evaluate the competition. Judges included members of the Connecticut Statewide Honor Guard, the Danbury Squadron AFJROTC, and senior Connecticut Wing officers. "Cadets worked hard in preparing for this competition and did an outstanding job. In many cases the difference between first and second place scores was a variance of only one or two points," said Col. Sturges.

Trophies and ribbons were awarded at the closing ceremony by Major Paul Kloehn, Connecticut Wing Administration Officer. Major Kloehn remarked, "The great thing about the CAP cadet competition is that it favors teams that are well rounded. The competitions not only measure how well a cadet can perform drill activities and wear a uniform, but also the cadet's skills in academics and physical fitness."

This is the first round of competition leading towards the Civil Air Patrol National Cadet Competition. The winning color guard and drill team will advance to the Northeast Region Cadet Competition to be held at the US Naval War College in Rhode Island next month.