We have had a busy summer so far!  First of all, CONGRATULATIONS to our Class of 2019 cadets who completed their USAFA journey on 30 May 2019.  What a perfect day it was!  It was a week of celebration leading up commissioning and graduation, and your Colorado Parents' Club was represented at all events.  

Many of you may not know that our club sponsors two annual awards for USAFA cadets.  Our sponsorship is greatly appreciated by USAFA senior leadership and, of course, the award recipients themselves.  Carrie Clancy and Donna Bajek represented the CPC at the graduation awards ceremony where 2Lt Jaci Smith was awarded the most Most Valuable Athlete Award (Women) for her outstanding career on the USAFA Cross Country and Track and Field teams.  Keep an eye out for her as she continues her training as part of the World Class Athlete Program (WCAP) in hopes of representing Team USA at the 2020 Summer Olympics.  At the Cadet Athletic Awards Ceremony, your CPC sponsored the Outstanding Male Soccer Player award, which went to 2Lt Tucker Bone.  Tucker is also part of the WCAP program, currently playing for the Colorado Springs Switchbacks as he trains to compete for a spot on the 2020 USA Men's Olympic Soccer Team.  The success of our Goodie Bag Program has allowed us to continue to offer our financial support to these award programs.

As we said farewell to our Class of 2019 graduates, we happily welcomed our new Class of 2023 Appointees at the New Appointee Luncheon held on 15 June 2019.  It was a fantastic event introducing our new appointees to USAFA and the Colorado Parents' Club.  Carol Hildebrand (check out Creative Cakes by Carol on Facebook) graciously donated cupcakes for this event.  She's an ardent supporter of state parent clubs and LOVES meeting and supporting our USAFA families.  She wrote a beautiful poem several years ago that she asked us to read at the New Appointee Luncheon.  If you weren't personally at the luncheon, you'll want to read her poem, "Just Look at You Now", by clicking here.  Carol is pictured below with the USAFA Falcons.  A highlight of the luncheon was the cadet question/answer panel (pictured below) where current USAFA cadets provided candid answers to questions asked by our appointees and their families.  Many thanks to Nathalie Flannery and her team of volunteers who ensured this was a valuable event for all who attended.  It was great to see so many of our current CPC families welcoming ANOTHER son/daughter to the USAFA family.  Look for some very crowded name tags this year!

 

Our warm Colorado welcome to the ENTIRE class of 2023 continued at the I-day picnic on 27 June 2019.  Mother Nature cooperated as we hosted a record number of family members of the USAFA Class of 2023 at Doolittle Hall.  Our partnership with the Association of Graduates has allowed this program to continue to grow and provides all families with an opportunity to experience not only the hospitality of our amazing Colorado families, but also a chance to appreciate all that the AOG has to offer. The Colorado Parents' Club received a shout out from Lt Gen Silveria at the senior leadership panel on I-day and from Brig Gen Michelle Edmonson at the Swearing In for the class of 2023 on 28 June for hosting this awesome event.  Both senior leaders attended the picnic and were very appreciative of how our parents' club serves the greater USAFA family.   Thank you doesn't seem adequate when showing our appreciation to Team Flannery for their leadership in coordinating another amazing CPC event! 

Enjoy your summer and please be sure to send us any photos of your cadets in action during their summer activities!  We'd love to highlight their achievements in our newsletter! 

Our next CPC sponsored event...the A-day picnic on 6 August.  See below if you'd like to get involved!