CTWG: New Fairfield Honored at the CT State Capital

Maj Ken Chapman, Commander 801st Cadet Squadron, New Fairfield, CT

Hartford, CT: On April 7, the floor of the Connecticut House of Representatives was full of excitement as the cadets of New Fairfield High School were honored as the first school-based Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Cadet Program in the State of Connecticut. The cadets were welcomed to the State Capitol by Representative MaryAnn Carson, Representative Jan Giegler and Senator Mike McLachlan, all of whom are honorary members of Civil Air Patrol holding the rank of Major.

As the cadets stood at attention on the floor of the State House of Representatives, several Representatives gave accolades including Representative Graziani who stated that "these cadets are role models" and thanked the cadets for "giving both to their community and state" as members of Civil Air Patrol. The cadets received a standing round of applause from the entire House of Representatives.

The cadets were given the VIP treatment during their visit to the Capitol which included a tour of the Capitol Building, the opportunity to explore the Senate Chamber, discussions with their representatives and an awards ceremony with Governor Jodi Rell in her personal office.

The following cadets participated in the event: Robert Byers, Michael Carneiro, Erica Cellamare, James Colella, James Coppola, Bettymarie Crea, Julianna Davis, Benjamin Dodds, James Froehlich, Joseph Gephart, Michael Hess, Anthony Iacovelli, Ashley Keenan, Chris Lucsky, Christopher Martin, Justin Menke, Jeffrey Plate, Daniel Schosser, Brian Wyckoff and Ryan Chapman. Accompanying the cadets were Assistant Principal & CAP Captain Mike Chapleau, Assistant Principal & CAP Captain Scott Rohwedder, CAP Senior Member Chris Keenan, Vice Chairman of the Board of Education & CAP Major Ken Chapman, and New Fairfield Selectman Susan Chapman.

The Civil Air Patrol Cadet program at New Fairfield High School has been an overwhelming success with the program expected to double in size next year with over 40 students expressing interested in participating in the program for the 2010-2011 school year.