ARIZONA PARENTS CLUB NEWSLETTER

MAY 2000

 

GARAGE SALE A SUCCESS!!

Thanks to all parent club members that donated items and time to our Spring Garage Sale. The club was able to raise over $400. All items not sold will be donated to St. Vincent De Paul Charities. So remember to save your treasures for the fall sale!

 

COOKIES FOR FINALS

The Spring Cookie Packing party was held May 13^th at the home of Neal and MaryAnn Carpenter. We packed 101 boxes of cookies for Arizona cadets! The annual officers election was held and was followed by a parents club meeting and luncheon. Thank you Neal and MaryAnn for your gracious hospitality!

WE MISS YOU ALREADY!!!!

We are saying goodbye to Mick & Karen Busch this year, as their son Matt will be graduating in May, 2000. Mick and Karen Busch have served this parents club, enthusiastically for four years, first holding the position of Secretary and later to serve as club Presidents, for two terms. They have organized and been involved in activities, too numerous to list and they also initiated the Arizona Parents Club annual Christmas Card fundraiser. We would like to offer them sincere congratulations and warmest thanks, on behalf of the entire membership of the AFA Arizona Parents Club. Thanks Mick & Karen!!! We will be also saying goodbye to Don & Deb Benker, our current Vice-Presidents. Don and Deb have both worked this year to help organize the Football Tickets, Cookie Packings and Senior Gifts. Thanks Don & Deb!!!! A big thank you should also go out to Kathy Killen, who has acted as our Tucson Liason and contact for the past few years. Thanks a bunch Kathy!!

Congratulations and welcome to new club officers, John and Candi Prangley, Presidents, Neal & MaryAnn Carpenter, Vice-presidents, Gene & Connie Rainey, Secretaries, Frank and Maria Scaglione, Treasurers, and our new Tuscon representatives, Mike & Leslie Epperson.

 

WAY TO GO CLASS OF 2000!!!

Congratulations to the 19 Arizona cadets that will graduate on May 31, 2000. The Parents Club will be sending each Graduate their "First Salute" award as well as an engraved desk nameplate and a set of 2nd Lt. bars to those whose parents are club members. We offer each one our best wishes for success in all of the adventures that lie ahead.

 

DOOLIE SEND-OFF DINNER

The "Appointee Send-Off Dinner" for the Class of 2004, will be held on Saturday, June 10, at Monti's La Casa Vieja. Parents of current cadets, are needed to attend this event. This provides a great opportunity for current Parents Club members to greet, answer questions, and encourage the new appointees and their families. We welcome any cadets that are home on leave and urge them to attend the dinner, as their presence and willingness to answer questions will be an encouragement to those preparing to enter the Academy on June 29^th! We all vividly remember what this time of year is like for these new USAFA appointees and their families! Let's be there for them. Please send in your reservations today!

 

Dinner Information:

 

When: Saturday, June 10, 2000

Where: Monti's La Casa Vieja, Tempe

Time: 5:30 PM No host cocktails

6:30 PM Dinner

7:30 PM Meeting

Cost: $19.95 per person

**Appointees & Cadets home on leave in uniform are FREE**

 

The guest speaker will be Bigadier General David A. Wagie. General Wagie is the Dean of Faculty at the Academy. He commands the 800 member faculty mission element and oversees the annual design and instruction of over 500 undergraduate courses for 4000 cadets in 31 academic disciplines. He is a 1972 Academy graduate.

 

This evening presents us with an ideal way to honor these young men and woman that have worked so hard to earn an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy. Come & help us give them a terrific send-off. Reservation deadline is May 31 , 2000. Use enclosed form to register.

 

Directions to Monti's La Casa Vieja: Monti's is on Mill Avenue in downtown Tempe at Rio Salado Parkway. Coming from the 202, exit at Priest, go south to Rio Salado Parkway and then take a left. Travel east toward Mill Avenue and enter parking lot just before getting to Mill. Monti's is on the southwest corner. Parents should use south entrance and follow the signs provided.

 

EMAIL ADDRESSES

If you have internet access, you may visit our club website at afaaz.cjb.net. We feel that the website has provided a valuable medium, for communicating with members, posting current events, and hosting important fundraisers. We are going to be upgrading soon....so watch for exciting new changes! Email is also another way that we can communicate better with our club members and keep you up to date on cadet activities and upcoming events. A big thanks to Neal Carpenter, who has generously volunteered to begin a complete update of our email roster. If you have just connected with email or your email address has changed, please contact Neal at (480) 838-4302.

 

ADOPT A DOOLIE PARENT

The Adopt-A-Doolie program presents a fantastic opportunity for parents of current cadets to assist and support doolie parents through their first year. This assistance would include sharing of important information, answering questions, and offering support and encouragement. If you would be willing to be a part of this valuable program, it really does not take much time, to make a difference! Please indicate your willingness to participate on the attached registration form or call Candi and John Prangley at (480) 730-9178. We all remember how unfamiliar and challenging the doolie year can be.

 

DID YOU KNOW?

Did you know that there is an organized listserv that is set up to encourage support for usafa families? It is called Famnet and it is managed by Bob & Doni Hardy, usafa parents, from Albuquerque, NM. They generously volunteer their time so that families of cadets can stay informed of events, issues, and news regarding their cadets and the Academy. Doni has also set up a new listserve for incoming appointees. Appointees may register on the AppointeeNet and begin receiving valuable information, prior to entering usafa. You can get more information by contacting rhardy@thuntek.net . Technology is a wonderful thing....check it out!!!

 

NAME BADGES

If you haven't ordered your Parents Club name badge, they are still available for $12.00 each. They are for you to wear proudly at Parents Weekend as well as to all Parents Club functions. The badges are in the shape of the state of Arizona with white lettering on a blue background. On the badge is the first and last name of the parent, the year your cadet will graduate, and "USAFA". You now have the option of customizing the badge to say "Parent /Father/Mother/Sister/Aunt 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.

 

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Cookie Packing & Election MAY 13

Final Exams MAY 15-20

Ring Dance MAY 28

Memorial Day MAY 29

Graduation Parade MAY 30

GRADUATION DAY !!!!!!! MAY 31

 

UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES

June 10 - Doolie Send-Off Dinner

June 29 - In-processing for the Class of 2004

July 15 - Doolie Parents Send-Off Breakfast

July 16 - Doolie Day Out

July 17 - March to Jack's Valley

August 4 - March back from Jack's Valley

August 8 - Acceptance Parade

August 10 - Classes begin

September 1-4 - Parents Weekend

October 7 - Navy game (home)

November 4 - Army game (away)

November 21 - 26 - Thanksgiving break

December 21-Jan 2, 2001 Christmas Break

 

 

CADET NEWS:

 

Cadet Phil Schembri-2002

Phil Schembri is now in Tiger Ten Squadron and will be moving next year to 21, Blackjacks. Cadet Schembri will be attending OPS at Whitman AFB in Missouri during second summer session. Philip recently painted an F-16 mural on the wall of Squadron 10. There is an artist in the group!!

 

Cadet Steve Olivares --2002

Steve Olivares is in Mighty Mach One Squadron and will be moving next year to Squadron 36, Pink Panthers. Cadet Olivares has been selected as First Sergeant for Squadron 36. He will attend OPS at Randolph AFB, in San Antonio, Texas during second summer session and will be heading back to the Academy for third session. He will perform duties as a Flight Specialist in Jack's Valley, during second BCT.

 

Cadet Patrick Ryan-2003

Patrick Ryan is currently in Squadron 28. This summer for first session Cadet Ryan will be taking Cadet Survival Training. He will then be working in Global Engagement second session, with the third summer session reserved for some much needed R & R. Mom & Dad say they are going to try and spent the fourth of July at the Academy and watch the spectacular fireworks display. Now that recognition is behind him, Ryan will be a very happy guy! Congratulations Ryan!

 

Cadet Michael Cumberworth-2001

Michael Cumberworth is currently in Squdron 2. Cadet Cumberworth is scheduled to travel to Japan for a Summer Emersion Program, for four weeks. Way to go Mike, Sayonara!!