New Jersey Cadets Carry Out Successful Conference, Ball

Members of the New Jersey Wing Cadet Advisory Council did it their way last month, planning and hosting a cadet conference and ball that drew more than 200 participants to J.P. Stevens High School in Edison.

The advisory council lived up to its motto, “For the Cadets, By the Cadets,“ by arranging  everything from class schedules to the banquet and music.

Classes covered such topics as color guard training, Civil Air Patrol National Cadet Special Activities, encampment, flight training opportunities, model rocketry, Gen. Billy Mitchell Award exam preparation, drone competitions, leadership, drill competitions, emergency services, and effective delegation.

The morning general session featured Brig. Gen. Lisa J. Hou, New Jersey adjutant general, who presented Cadet Col. Henry Szumigala of the Raritan Valley Composite Squadron with his Gen. Carl A. Spaatz Award, and Col. Andrew Liput, New Jersey Wing commander, who presented several cadets with their Mitchell and Amelia Earhart awards. Several military branches were also represented, providing interested cadets the opportunity to explore numerous service opportunities.

The conference enabled cadets to meet and get to know their counterparts from all across the state. And when the day’s business was done, one more element made the experience complete – relaxing over a nice meal and enjoying a few hours of music and a chance the night away.

"This is their conference, their program, and their night to relax," said 2nd Lt. John Koperwhats of the Capt. Bud Jackson Composite Squadron, senior member officer in charge of the conference. “A time for cadets to be cadets and organize the conference – their way.”
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Capt. Lynda Rosencrans
Public Affairs Officer
New Jersey Wing