Spring 2003 Newsletter April/May 2003

President Ruth Klenk-Janzik 602-971-5597
Vice Presidents Bob & Ellen Wallace 480-991-6944
Treasurer Andrea Chisolm 480-332-0774
Secretaries Barbara & Steve Hadley 480-836-9768

Gifts, tickets, Academy paraphernalia, or items you manufacture to be donated to the Parents Club to use as door prizes and raffle items. Please contact any Board Member or email the secretary at: Conni@sossolutions.org -- Your Parents Club thanks you in advance for supporting our cadets!

Jeremiah James Alder, son of James and Jane Alder (Carefree, AZ). Economics.

John Martin Barry, Social Sciences.

James Joseph Blech, son of Anne Blech (Payson, AZ). Social Sciences.

Wendy Anne Emminger, daughter of Tom and Patsy Emminger (Chandler, AZ). Biology.

Melinda Christine Finley, daughter of Jeff and Michelle Finley (Phoenix, AZ). Engineering Mechanics.

Daniel Lee Franz, son of Jeff and Barbara Franz (Sierra Vista, AZ). Astronautical Engineering.

Adam Bradley Howes, son of Mark and Linda Howes (Scottsdale, AZ). Economics.

Brian Curtis Hum, English.

Adam Travis Keith, son of Kim and Cindy Keith (Fountain Hills, AZ). Foreign Area Studies.

Matthew Michael Leonard, son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Leonard. Management.

Matthew Christopher McNulty, son of Donn and Sherree Newhouse (Phoenix, AZ). Operations Research.

Daniel Ramon Montes, son of Ramon and Liz Montes (Scottsdale, AZ). Astronautical Engineering.

Daniel Duane Munson, son of Gary and June Munson (Chandler, AZ). Operations Research.

David Mathew Padilla, son of Ray and Amy Padilla (Tucson, AZ). Management.

Patrick John Ryan, son of Steve and Ann Ryan (Tempe, AZ). Civil Engineering.

Francesco Anthony Scaglione, son of Frank and Maria Scaglione (Scottsdale, AZ). Biology.

Anthony Jay Shockley, son of Thomas Schockley (Mesa, AZ). Management.

Kathryn Wild Sprotte, daughter of Bill Sprotte (Pinetop, AZ) and Barbara Sprotte (Lakeside, AZ). Management.

Rex Vickers, son of Sara Jenann Sutherland (Mesa, AZ). Management.

The Appointee Send Off-Dinner welcomes Arizona Appointees to the Class of 2007! All Appointees and their parents should plan to attend this event. Family members are also cordially invited. This dinner provides a great opportunity for current AZ Parents Club members to meet and greet, answer questions, and encourage new Appointees.

We welcome any Cadets that are home on leave, and urge them to attend this dinner, in uniform. Their presence and willingness to answer questions will be an encouragement to those preparing to enter the Academy on June 26, 2003. We all vividly remember what this time of year is like for these new USAFA Appointees and their families. They would especially like to see Cadets, and be able to talk with them.

Reservations are required to attend this event. PLEASE SEND IN YOUR RESERVATIONS ASAP. The deadline to receive your reservations and payment is May 31, 2003.

Menu choices:

**Top Sirloin Steak with Baked Potato,

**Chicken Piccata in a Lemon Garlic Sauce

Directions: From Loop 101, go east on US 60, take the Alma School Exit and go North. Restaurant is directly across the street from The Fiesta Mall on the southeast side of Alma School Rd & Southern. The restaurant is next door to Bank of America, with free covered parking in the back.

If you will not be accompanying your Appointee for the In-processing, and they will need lodging the night before; the Association of Graduates will be glad to help. The AOG will arrange for your Appointee to be picked up at the airport on June 25, and provided with a place to stay overnight, which includes dinner and breakfast. Transportation to Doolittle Hall on June 26th is also provided by AOG.

Once you have your reservation or ticket, call the AOG at (719) 472-0300 (no mail, fax, or email please). Your Appointee will be helped and made to feel more comfortable with this process.

"Nothin' says lovin' like somethin' from the oven!" and our cadets love to receive the goodie boxes to munch on during exams! Each family is asked to bring eight dozen cookies or treats, already wrapped 4-6 per zip-locked bag. Extras are appreciated to help fill up the boxes.

The Parents Club supplies the boxes, note paper, labels, and the shipping. Parents only need to show up with the cookies, a side dish, and an appetite for lunch after our work is done. The main dish will be supplied by the host family. Please bring a salad, side dish, dessert, or drinks to share. If for any reason you are unable to attend, please send your treats ahead of time or with someone who is coming. Monetary gifts are also welcomed to help defray the cost of postage.

Door prizes will be given away, including the Grand Prize of a pair of Diamondback Tickets donated by Bob & Ellen Wallace.

Directions: Beeline (87) to Shea. West on Shea. North on Fountain Hills Blvd. Left on Palisades. Right on Golden Eagle. Left on Sierra Madre. 1st Left on Dove. Left on Robin to corner of Owl Ct. -or-

Loop 101 to Shea. East on Shea to Palisades. Left on Palisades. Left on Golden Eagle. Left on Sierra Madre. 1st Left on Dove. Left on Robin to corner of Owl (2nd St).

One-time charge all 4 yrs $100.00

One year $ 35.00

One year $ 35.00

One year $ 20.00

One year $ 20.00

The new Executive Board was elected at a Pot-Luck hosted by Donn and Sherree Newhouse on March 15, 2003. The meeting was conducted by Tom Hawn, Chairman of the Nominating Committee. Tom read the bylaws and explained the necessity of having a quorum for the voting to proceed. Ten percent of our voting membership, or 6 members must be present to make the voting official. We did meet this criteria and the new board members were voted in unanimously.

Newly elected President Ruth Klenk-Janzik thanked everyone for coming and the hard work of the Hawns in chairing the Nomination Committee.

The next four years will be both exciting and difficult. The Arizona Parents Club was formed to support you and your Cadet throughout the years at the Academy. Please consider joining. Our forms are enclosed. You won't be disappointed.

The purpose of our Parent's Club is two-fold:

1) To support all Arizona young people who receive appointments and attend the Academy or Prep School.

2) To support all Arizona families who have a Cadet at the Academy or Prep School.

The Club sends boxes of goodies twice a year to the AZ Cadets. This happens approaching finals before Christmas Break and again before May finals. The Club participates in the annual Holiday All Academies Ball, sends gifts to graduating seniors, hosts the Doolie Send-off Dinner, and the Parents Weekend Send-off Breakfast. Most importantly, Parents Club members are there to encourage and support cadets and parents when they encounter difficult times. The strength of the Club is solely dependent upon the strength of its MEMBERSHIP. The more members--the stronger the club will be.

Parents Club name badges are available for $12.00 each. They are for you to wear proudly at Parents Weekend, and to all Parents Club functions. The badges are in the shape of the State of Arizona, or will be a square with the outline of AZ on it, depending on production. They are blue background, with white lettering. This is a good ID to wear, as on the badge is the first and last name of the parent, the year your cadet will graduate, and "USAFA." You have the option of customizing the badge to say "Father/ Mother/ Sister/ Aunt/ Grandparent/ Brother/ Parent etc. of Cadet ..." Badges may be ordered by completing the form enclosed with this newsletter, or on the night of the Doolie Send-Off Dinner. Badges will be at the Doolie Dinner for those ordering by May 31, 2003. Order with your membership!

This 40 page booklet entitled "Cadet Parent Guide" is available for you to purchase on the enclosed form, or at the Doolie Send-off Dinner. It is called the "Blue Book" for easy reference; however, it is sometimes printed with a gray cover.

This is an excellent manual for parents of cadets to have, as it contains tips for parents, details of the Sponsor program for 4th Class cadets, details about cadet pay, squadron names and locations, important telephone numbers, insignia explanation, hotels and motels in the area, and much, much more. The Colorado Parents Club publishes this book and the cost is only $12.00 -- payable to USAFA AZ Club.

This breakfast meeting gives Doolie parents information on what to expect, as well as suggestions to enhance your visit to the Academy for Parents Weekend and will be held Aug 16 from 9:00am to 10:30am at the Hometown Buffet on Scottsdale Rd.

The Adopt-A-Doolie parent program presents a fantastic opportunity for the parents of current Cadets to assist and support new Doolie parents through their first year. This assistance would include sharing of important information, answering questions, and offering support and encouragement. If you are interested in participating in this program, please indicate this on the application, or call the President Ruth Klenk-Janzik at 602-971-5597.

There is a list serve organization set up for support, information, announcements, events, issues, and news to be shared on the internet with all USAFA families across the United States. It is called FamNet and is managed by Bob & doni Hardy in Albuquerque, NM. They volunteer their time so that families of Cadets can stay informed. The Email address is: famnet@falconpride.com and the cost is $20 a year.

doni has also set up a new list serve for incoming Appointees. Appointees may register on the Appointee Net and begin receiving valuable information. The email address for this is: arhardy@thuntek.net

Please visit our club web site at: http://www.usafaparents-arizona.org which was established to be another valuable medium for communicating with members, posting current events and hosting important fund raisers. It is upgraded and changed regularly by our volunteer webmasters John & Candi Prangley. We are always in need of photos for our photo gallery.  Please email them to johncandi@cox.net or mail photos to 1069 East Carver, Tempe, AZ 85284. They can be scanned and then all original photos will be returned.

One of our most important ways to relay information about events is through email. Despite our best efforts to keep our list updated, as you know email addresses change frequently. You can help us out by dropping our secretary a note with your updated email address at: Conni@sossolutions.org

Sunday, July 13, 2003 is Doolie Day Out. This will be the first opportunity for you to talk with your Cadet after in-processes. Leave the whole day open for "the call."

This is the half-way mark of Basic Cadet Training. They are picked up for the day by their Sponsor family and can finally relax. They will be tired, but excited, and perhaps a little homesick. The Sponsor family will try to feed them a favorite dish. Usually, the Cadets prefer to chill and call their parents and friends.

It is a good idea to have sent a phone card for the Doolies to use, as these calls add up. Also, it's fun to send a one-time use camera with a self-addressed stamped envelope which the sponsor family can return so that all may enjoy this special day.

Some Doolies also would appreciate a care package from home waiting for them at their Sponsor's. Perhaps a favorite magazine, snacks, or goodies might brighten their day!

This "Open House" type event at the AFA in CO will be over Labor Day Weekend beginning on August 29th through Sept 1st. This is a wonderful weekend to spend with your Cadet, as well as tour the campus, partake of the meals and events planned by various organizations, attend class with your Cadet and meet the staff and instructors.

You will be permitted to enter areas usually off-limits only on this weekend. It really gives you the "Academy Experience!"

The AZ Parents Club will host a dinner buffet on Friday evening, Aug 29th at 5:30pm. This is a "drop-by" social event to provide an evening meal, rest and chat, for all AZ Parents and their families. Details TBA

All the detail of this "Must Do" weekend will be published in the near future by our Club as well as by the AFA itself. Book your reservations for a room ASAP, as they fill up quickly. A list of Hotels and Motels, with addresses and phone numbers is printed in the "Blue Book." Camp sites are also plentiful in Colorado.

You will be so impressed with how much your Cadet has matured in just a couple of months. After this wonderful weekend, you will also have a better understanding, knowledge, and respect for your Cadet's life.

The Parents Club secures a block of 100 tickets yearly for the Parents Weekend Football game. This year they will cost our members and their families $30 each. Forms for these are also enclosed with this Newsletter. We urge you to reserve yours soon, as the do go quickly. The sale of these tickets will be on a first-come basis. The Falcons are returning many from last year's outstanding team so let's cheer them on! You'll enjoy the Cadets marching in their Service dress, the Wings of Blue parachuting onto the field, jet fly-bys, the Drum & Bugle Corps and falcon flights.

Between Christmas and New Year's Day, there is a gala affair hosted by one of the military academy parents clubs. The next All Academies Ball will be held in late December 2003, will be hosted by the West Point AZ Parents Club. Details of this will be in the Fall Newsletter.

May 3 Cookie Packing

May 12 Finals Begin

May 17 Finals End

May 28 Class of 2003 Graduation

June 7 Doolie Dinner

June 26 Class of 2007 In-Processing

July 13 Doolie Day Out

Aug. 2 Cadet Wing Returns 1900

Aug. 4 Acceptance Parade

Aug. 7 Classes Begin

Aug. 16 Doolie Parents Send-Off Breakfast

Aug.29 Parents Weekend Begins

Aug. 29 AZ Parents Club Buffet Dinner

Aug. 30 Football Game....USAFA vs. Wofford

Sept. 1 Parents Weekend ends