June 2011 Newsletter - USAF Academy Parents` Club of Minnesota.

June 2011
Air Force Academy Parents Club of Minnesota
Issue 115
a 501c3 corporation
Salute to 2011 Graduates!
HAPPY GRADUATE 2LT LAURA STURDEVANT
AFTER THE JUBILANT
HAT TOSS, CHILDREN
ARE ALLOWED ON THE
FIELD TO FIND A TROPHY
HAT - WITH $20.11
INSIDE AS A SURPRISE!
From the Editor
2LT KELLEN BETHKE. INSET IS
HIS RING, GLOVE, DIPLOMA
Enjoy the newsletter! This one is a bit long,
but we wanted to spotlight our new Minnesota
graduates. Their bios are wonderful insights
into all the opportunities for our cadets –
both now and in the future! I have enjoyed
creating this newsletter, and it will now pass
into the capable hands of Steve Jantscher.
I hope to see you around at a PNO or at
other events!
Salute to 2011 Graduates!
NOW THAT IS TIGHT!
KELLI WOOD, 2011, BEING SWORN IN AT HER
COMMISSIONING BY HER BROTHER, CAPT.
PAUL KOECHER. KELLI IS ENJOYING HER 60
DAYS WITH TRIPS TO NAPA, HIKING IN
COLORADO, A CRUISE, AND A VISIT TO HER
BROTHER PAUL AT HICKAM AFB IN HAWAII.
Distinguished Graduates
Four Minnesota cadets were among
the Distinguished Graduates: Kaylyn
Arvidson, Kellan Bethke, Ryan Witzig,
and Samantha Sarkis! Congratulations
on recognition for all your hard work!
Commencement Address
The secretary of the Air Force Michael B.
Donley spoke at the commencement address
for the Air Force Academy's Class of 2011
at Falcon Stadium May 25. He challenged
the 1021 graduates to be lifelong learners,
team players and doers after they receive
their diplomas and their commissions.
"I think you will find that you would always
like to have more training, more degrees,
more languages under your belt. You can
always keep learning."
“Nations will depend on the coalitions
that you can bring together. They will look
to you for guidance and leadership. We
are counting on you to use your education
and training to the fullest."
THUNDER AND LIGHTENING AND HAIL OH
MY! (RESULTING IN A CANCELED PARADE
AND A RUSH TO THE SHUTTLE BUSES)
"Know that we are proud of you, that
General Schwartz and the rest of our
leadership team are committed to your
future success, and that there's no Air
Force leader, who does not envy the
future ahead of you."
Our Mission Statement
The United States Air Force Academy
Parents Club of Minnesota
exists to promote the well being
of the Minnesota cadets at the
Air Force Academy
and their families.
The club is entirely member
supported.
Monthly Meetings
Our monthly meetings are held the
first Saturday of the month at the Fort
Snelling Officers’ Club at 10am.
The Officers’ Club sits on Post Road just off
Minnesota Highway 5 near the Minneapolis/St.
Paul Airport and Fort Snelling State Park. From
Highway 494 exit onto Highway 5 heading
north. Take the Post Road exit and turn left into
Fort Snelling State Park. Take the first left (the
road with the gate). You will see the back of the
Officer’s Club. The road ends in the parking lot
on the front side.
Dates to mark on your calendar
July 16th - Summer Picnic
Sept 3rd - Tailgate at USAFA
October 13th - Parents’ Night Out
Upcoming meetings
Oct. 1st
Nov. 5th
OUR WEBSITE: USAFAMNPC.ORG
Contact us
This is YOUR newsletter. Please send
Cadet updates or information on club
activities for future editions to:
Steve Jantscher
(952) 447 4375
sjantscher@integraonline.com
For general club information contact:
2012 / Co-Presidents
Greig & Lisa Glover
(651) 330-6040
gloverfamily@comcast.net
Bruce & Marlene Schaefer(651) 905-0767
scfam@earthlink.net
Mark & Diane Selby
(651) 683-1939
dmamselby@msn.com
2013
Peyton & Robyn Cook (612) 824-9145
birdcook2@cs.com
Theron & Lori Drenckhahn (952) 938-5591
Theronc130@msn.com
2014
Mark & Jean Cady
(952) 933-3342
mark.cady@honeywell.com
jean.cady@richfield.k12.mn.us
Woody & Elise Kingman (763) 473-9999
elisekingman@comcast.net
Kim Landecker
(612)735-0607
landtko@aol.com
2015
Your name here!
Please volunteer!
USAFA Prep School Rep
Andy Unseth
952-496-1503
aunseth@gmail.com
MN ALO Parent Club Liaison
Major Jake Zender
jbzender@frontiernet.net
This is YOUR Newsletter
Graphics Central
Please submit news and photos of
your cadet, and info on projects you
are planning, or recently completed to:
Just as we have “kits” for various projects,
I’d like to start collecting artwork and
photos into a central location that can
then be shared and passed along to
future club members. If you have USAFA
or AF clip art or photos that you have
used in the past for projects, or that may
be useful in the future, please email a
copy to me. I also have the ability to scan
items, but call me first to confirm. I am not
looking necessarily for the hard copy
samples of things that should stay with the
project “kits”, but rather images we can
share and use in the future. Thank you!
sjantscher@integraonline.com
Also, forward this newsletter to your
cadet so they can see what their peers
and parents are up to!
Cadet Photos tip
We all know how hard it is to get your
cadets to send you photos, BUT, they all
have Facebook pages! With their permission
(of course) you can grab a photo from
their FB page to send into this newsletter.
PC computer - Right click on image and
choose “save image as” and save to your
computer.
Mac computer - Control click on image
and choose “save image as” and save to
your computer.
Deb Sturdevant
deb@sturdevant.msp.mn.us
(763) 422-8095
Helpful Websites
MN Parents’ Club:
USAFA main site:
usafamnpc.org
usafa.af.mil
After that, attach the photo to an email
and send it to me along with a caption!
Or, updates without photos are great, too!
FAQs on many topics:
academyadmissions.com/intro/faq/index.php
Parents’ Night Out
Cadet services (bus schedules, recreation,
etc):
usafaservices.com
Join us for a night out on second Thursdays!
It’s always a fun evening! (resumes Oct. 13)
Assoc. of Graduates:
RSVP to Shari and Jeff Piehl
jtpiehl@hotmail.com
(612) 270-7642
FamNet (fee required to join):
falconpride.com/index.html
Webguy – photos and blog (This will be
your favorite):
usafawebguy.com
USAFA Athletics:
usafa.org
goairforcefalcons.com
Family Picnic
Parents’ Weekend Tailgate
USAFA MN PARENTS’ CLUB PICNIC
PLAN A: The football game is over, your
SAVE THE DATE!!!
WHERE:
Fort Snelling State Park
WHEN:
Saturday, 7/16/2011
11am until 3pm
WHO:
The Cadets’ entire family
Any Cadets home on leave
ACTIVITIES: Meet Sponsor Families, win
prizes, talk to Upper class
Cadets, share news about
your cadet, EAT
More details will follow by mail or email.
This is a great opportunity to meet other
USAFA parents and share stories about BCT.
The picnic is hosted by the class of 2014.
The Class reps are:
Mark & Jean Cady
(952) 933-3342
Woody & Elise Kingman (763) 473-9999
Kim Landecker
(612) 735-0607
WE LOOK FORWARD TO
SEEING YOU THERE!
family is starved, traffic leaving the stadium
is at a standstill, and then when you finally
get to the restaurants, you realize everyone
else at the game had the same idea and
you can’t get a table for hours. ... OR ...
PLAN B: Mosey on over to the MN
Parents’ Club tent in the parking lot, enjoy
Famous Dave’s BBQ with your family and
visit with others in the club, and meet a few
distinguished guests. Then, full and happy,
you breeze on out of the parking lot into
the wild blue yonder to enjoy the rest of the
weekend as you wish with your cadet.
MN PARENTS' WEEKEND TAILGATE
WHERE:
WHEN:
USAFA Stadium Parking Lot
Saturday, 9/3/2011
approx 3 to 5pm (after game)
WHO:
MN Cadets, families and
Sponsor families
GAME:
USAFA vs South Dakota
Noon Kickoff (?)
PHOTO OP: Group photos of cadets and
the visiting dignitaries.
Tailgate Reservation forms as well
as group ticket window information for
the football game will be mailed in July.
For more info contact the 2014 Class Reps:
Jean & Mark Cady (cadyje0@gmail.com),
Kim Landecker (landtko@aol.com), Elise &
Woody Kingman (elisekingman@comcast.net)
Annual Banquet
The Annual Candidate Spring Banquet
was held April 30th at The Olympic Hills
Country Club was a fun-filled event as
always. 156 attended, including 24
appointees to the Classes of 2015 and
2016. This annual event was hosted by
the class of 2012 to congratulate and
welcome the new appointees and their
families. Thank you to the many volunteers
that helped to make the evening an
enjoyable success!
In addition to appointees and their families, many Club members, Alumni, and
ALOs attended. The appointees had their
pictures taken with their families as they
arrived, and were later presented with a
framed photo to take home. The guests
then mingled during the Social Hour, and
made bids at the Silent Auction. After the
dinner, Lt Col Richard Fullerton, Vice Dean
(Vice Provost) of USAFA, was the speaker
for the evening. He instilled all with a profound sense of pride in the institution our
young adults are attending.
As in previous years, a very successful
Silent Auction was a vital part of the
evening under the leadership of Darrell
Tamosuinas. Thank you to those who
donated and participated in the Silent
Auction, which was a great success and is
the club's primary fund raiser of the year.
SOCIALIZING DURING THE AUCTION
COL. TOM MATTISON, OUTGOING PARENTS’
CLUB LIAISON, IS THANKED FOR HIS YEARS
OF SERVICE BY GREIG GLOVER
OUTGOING CO-PRESIDENTS TOM AND
DIANE WITZIG, AND SUE AND KEVIN
BETHKE AT THE SPRING BANQUET WITH THE
BIO BOARD HONORING 2011 GRADUATES
Congratulations 2015 Appointees!
Ryan Bruns, Colin Busho, Taylor Curtiss, William Dehn, James Dimmick, Andrew Donlin, Chloe
Donoho, Michelle Ferguson, Cole Gunner, Anthony Hillesheim, Ryan Holler, Scott Holm, Kristian
Knuths, Miles Knutsen, James Manuel, Michael McDonald, Tyler Mergen (prep), Paul Moberg,
Joel Perlinger, Benjamin Persian, John Stout, Hope Stremcha, Alexandra Stych, Taylor Vonasek,
Clay West. Not pictured: William Baker (prep), Dylan Bungum, John Ekman, Sean Harrington,
Katherine Helbig, Nathan Johnson, Johnathan Miller, Marie Yokan.
Thank you from the Goulds
Good luck with Basic Cadet Training!
(tip - see the next few pages to see the richness
your future holds!)
(parents - do NOT snailmail this during BCT too much postage/pushups!!!)
2014s - We need your help!
The 2014 parents are in charge of the
July picnic at Ft Snelling. We need a few
volunteers from the 2014 group of parents
for the following tasks on July 16th: set-up
(6), clean up (6), photographer (1), food
table maintenance (2). Please e-mail Jean
Cady if you are willing to volunteer for
any of these tasks. cadyje0@gmail.com
Salute to 2011 Graduates!
KAYLYN CLARE ARVIDSON
ERIC ATCHISON
Name:
Kaylyn Clare Arvidson
Name:
Eric Atchison
Squadron:
3 "Dogs of War"
Squadron:
29 "Black Panthers"
Hometown:
Parkers Prairie
Hometown:
Northfield, MN
Parents:
Eugene and Jayne Arvidson
Parents:
Randy and Tari Atchison
Degree: Bachelor of Science Degree in Foreign Area
Studies with a minor in Russian
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering
Management
Honors: Superintendent's List every semester,
Outstanding Group Commander - Fall 2010
Honors: Dean's List, Commandant's List, Athletic's List
and Superintendent's List throughout his time at the
Academy
Leadership: Chief Clerk, Squadron Training NCO,
Summer 2010 BCT Aggressors Squadron
Commander, Fall 2010 Group I Commander
Highlights/ Special Activities: Travel to Romania,
Ukraine, Guam and South Africa. Semester
exchange program to West Point
Summer plans: Travel to the US Virgin Islands, Spain
and Italy.
Assignment: Pilot training at Vance Air Force Base,
Enid, Oklahoma where she hopes to fly helicopters
Leadership: Chief Clerk, Squadron Training NCO,
Squadron First Sergeant, BCT Bus Cadre, 1st BCT
Flight Commander, Assault Course Cadre, Squadron
Academic Officer, Recondo CIC, Fellowship of
Christian Athletes Small Group Leader and God
Chasers Small Group Leader.
Summer Plans: A month-long mission trip to Nepal,
followed by another mission trip with his two sisters,
and then spend a couple weeks at home - training for
the ALO pipeline.
Assignment: He was recently selected to become an
Air Liaison Officer after graduating. He will begin the
6-month to 1 year training for Air Liaison Officer before
getting attached to an Army unit and deploying.
Salute to 2011 Graduates!
KELLAN DANE BETHKE
TIMOTHY E. KRYSTOSEK
Name:
Kellan Dane Bethke
Name:
Timothy E. Krystosek
Squadron:
19 "Wolverines"
Squadron:
40 "War Hawks"
Hometown:
Mahtomedi, MN
Hometown:
Maple Grove, MN
Parents:
Kevin and Sue Bethke
Parents:
Linda and Allen Krystosek
Degree: Bachelors Degree in Foreign Affairs Studies Slavic Region, with a minor in Russian Language
Honors: Superintendent's List 2 semesters, Dean &
Commandant's List every semester
Leadership: Chief Clerk, Group Superintendent,
Element Leader, BCT Group Director of Logistics, CIC
Semester Abroad Program in Russia, Flight
Commander
Highlights/Special Activities: Travelled to Serbia,
Ukraine, Russia & China for language & cultural
immersion programs, spent a semester abroad in St.
Petersburg, Russia
Summer plans: Attend 2 weddings, visit family & friends
around the country, enjoy a Caribbean Cruise, relax
Assignment: Pilot - Graduate School at the Naval
Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA. Then ENJJPT
Program at Sheppard Air Force Base, Wichita Falls,
TX (Euro-Nato Joint Jet Pilot Training)
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Management
Honors: Commandant's list 2 semesters
Leadership: BCT 2009 Superintendent and 2010
Commander of the obstacle course in Jack's Valley.
Security NCO, Element Leader, Safety Officer and
Executive Officer in his Squadron.
Highlights/Special Activities: Air Force Varsity
Hockey team for 2 years and spent the last 2 years
as video coordinator for the team.
Summer plans: Spend time in Minnesota playing golf,
visiting friends & relatives. Attend the weddings of 2
Air Force teammates in North Dakota and Montana.
In June, he will vacation with his parents in
Washington D.C.
Assignment: Work in the Finance Department at Eglin
Air Force Base in Florida. He plans to pursue his
Master's Degree in Business or Finance.
Salute to 2011 Graduates!
MATHEW EARL LAVIGNE
TANNER ALLEN LEE
Name:
Mathew Earl Lavigne
Name:
Tanner Allen Lee
Squadron:
25 "Rock Hard Red Eye"
Squadron:
29 "Black Panthers"
Hometown:
South St. Paul, MN
Hometown:
Moorhead, MN
Parents:
Steve and Sue Lavigne
Parents:
Charlie and Jeanne Lee
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Economics
Honors: Dean's List 5 semesters
Leadership: First Sergeant
Highlights/Special Activities: 4 years Air Force Club
hockey team
Summer Plans: Travel, Relax, Groomsman for USAFA
friends' weddings!
Assignment: Pilot training at Laughlin Air Force Base,
Del Rio, Texas starts Jan. 5, 2012. Will work on his
Master's degree until then
Not Pictured
Matthew Becker, Moorhead, MN
Christopher Fei, Plymouth, MN
Ashleigh Fugate, Rochester, MN
Scott Kozlak, Duluth, MN
Kirsten Lorch, Northfield, MN
Glynnis Quern, Wayzata, MN
Jon Wikstrom, Eagan, MN
Degree: Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry:
Material Science
Honors: Dean's List and Athletic List every Semester,
Superintendent's List 3 semesters.
Leadership: Group Academics NCO, Fall 2009,
Group Director of Academics, Fall 2010, Director of
Operations for Squadron 29 Spring 2011.
Summer Plans: Travel, mainly relax at the family
cabin at Union Lake, MN
Assignment: USAFA Chemistry Department awarded
Tanner a scholarship to further his education prior to
pilot training. Tanner will be attending University of
Florida in Gainesville, FL. He intends on completing
a 12 month non-thesis Masters degree program in
chemistry at UF. Following grad school, Tanner will
then begin pilot training at Vance Air Force Base in
Enid, Oklahoma.
Salute to 2011 Graduates!
TRAVIS P. NELSON
TOBIAS L. PEDRETTI
Name:
Travis P. Nelson
Name:
Tobias L. Pedretti
Squadron:
6 "Raging Bulls"
Squadron:
35 "Huge Wild Weasels"
Hometown:
Prior Lake, MN
Hometown:
La Crescent, MN
Parents:
Nick and Chris Nelson
Parents:
Andrew and Linda Pedretti
Degree: Bachelor of Science Degree in Aerospace
Engineering
Leadership: Squadron Director of Operations,
Training NCO, Element Leader, Survival instructor for
CST (Combat Survival Training) - summer 2009
Highlights/ Special Activities: Sailplane Instructor
Pilot with over 200 instructional sorties with the "94"
Flight Training Squadron. Traveled to Royal Air Force
Academy in 2009. Went on an Olmstead trip to
Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand in 2010.
Summer Plans: Travel in Europe with friends from the
Academy.
Assignment: Pilot Training at Laughlin Air Force Base
in Del Rio, Texas to begin in January, 2012.
Degree: Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics
Leadership: Squadron PEER, Standardizations and
Evaluations Leadership NCO, Element Leader during
2 Degree year, Assistant Standardizations and
Evaluations Officer and Assistant Director of
Operations 1st Degree year. CST (Combat Survival
Training) cadre.
Highlights/ Special Activities: took the Powered Flight
program
Summer plans: Enjoy his summer on a motorcycle
traveling throughout northern Minnesota and Canada
Assignment: Cyber Warfare Officer at Keesler Air
Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi
Salute to 2011 Graduates!
SHANE MICHAEL RUETHER
SAMANTHA A. SARKIS
Name:
Shane Michael Ruether
Name:
Samantha A. Sarkis
Squadron:
37 "Animalistic Skyraiders"
Squadron:
13 "Bulldawgs"
Hometown:
Montevideo, MN
Hometown:
Chaska, MN
Parents:
James and Lori Ruether
Parents:
Randy and Lan Sarkis
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Systems
Management with an emphasis in Management
Degree: Bachelor of Science Degree in
Management with a minor in Chinese
Honors: Athletic List - 3 semesters, Commandant's List
- 3 semesters, Dean's List - 3 semesters,
Superintendent's List - 2 semesters
Leadership: Element Leader, Athletic Clerk, Squadron
Athletic NCO, Group Parking NCO, BCT Group
Athletic NCO and BCT Group Athletic Officer
Highlights/Special Activities: Academy Rockclimbing
CIC on their newly constructed rock climbing wall,
Director of Operations for his squadron, Flight
Commander, Element Leader
Honors: Athletic List all 8 semesters, Dean's,
Commandant's and Superintendent's List 6 semesters,
2-time 500 Club member, a member of Beta Gamma
Sigma International Honor Society.
Summer plans: Shane is hoping to spend some time
with his maternal grandfather making a display case
for his academy saber and taking a motorcycle trip
with his dad and brother
Highlights/Special Activities: intercollegiate tennis
player from 2007 to 2009, Completed a summer
research at Boeing in CA, studied at Nanjing
University in China one semester, participated in
Olmsted trips to China and Peru
Assignment: Columbus Air Force Base, Columbus,
MS for Pilot Training in January 2012. His intentions
are to become a fighter pilot.
Summer plans: Traveling with her friends around all
of Europe and the Mediterranean.
Assignment: Acquisition Officer at Hanscom Air
Force Base in Boston, MA and plans on attending
graduate school at one of the surrounding universities.
Salute to 2011 Graduates!
LAURA MARIE STURDEVANT
ALEXIS CHRISTINE TAMOSUINAS
Name:
Laura Marie Sturdevant
Name:
Alexis Christine Tamosuinas
Squadron:
39 "Campus Radicals"
Squadron:
39 "Campus Radicals"
Hometown:
Champlin
Hometown:
Medina, MN
Parents:
Deb and James Sturdevant
Parents:
Darrell and Linda Tamosuinas
Degree: Bachelor of Science Degree in Political
Science
Honors: Dean's List 2 semesters and Commandant's
List every semester
Leadership: Element Leader, Group 4 Major Training
Events NCO, BCT Jaguars Squadron Superintendent,
Squadron Chief of Safety/Security, BCT Jaguars
Squadron Commander, Group 4 Executive Officer.
Highlights/Special Activities: Powered Flight Program
- earned her flight wings, Played women's rugby for 3
years, Went to China for 3 weeks on an Olmsted
Cultural Immersion Trip.
Summer Plans: Tour Europe, plans to visit 11 countries in 46 days - including 2 weeks in Ireland &
Slovenia with her sister Amy exploring family roots.
Assignment: Intelligence Technical School at
Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, Texas.
She hopes to serve for a few years and then get her
Master's Degree in Organizational Dynamics.
Degree: Bachelor of Science Degree
Honors: Dean's List, Received the Commandant's Pin
and Athletic Pin
Leadership: NCLS (National Character and
Leadership Symposium) PA/Publicity CIC, Squadron
Representative, Dive Manager, Training Clerk,
Element Leader. Academic Officer, and Cycling
Team.
Highlights/Special Activities: CFC (Combined Federal
Campaign CIC- Received Certificate of Appreciation
from AFA Superintendent & CFC Director, Cadet for a
Day C1C-Directed "Make a Wish Foundation" program,
AFAF (Air Force Assistance Fund)
Summer plans: spend time with family and marry
C1C Michael Shaw. The new couple plan to tour
locally and abroad before beginning their Air Force
careers at Sheppard.
Assignment: Sheppard Air Force Base, Wichita Falls,
Texas
Salute to 2011 Graduates!
PETER TARVIN
JUSTIN WILSON TYNER
Name:
Peter Tarvin
Name:
Justin Wilson Tyner
Squadron:
8 "Eagle Eight"
Squadron:
32 "Roadrunners"
Hometown:
Minnetonka, MN
Hometown:
Baxter, MN
Parents:
Joe and Becky Tarvin
Parents:
Richard and Linda Tyner
Degree: Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics
Leadership: Squadron 8 Cadet Physical Training,
CST Survival Cadre, Philmont Ranger, among other
squadron roles
Highlights/Special Activities: In his time off,
Mountaineering has been his passion and backpacking serves as a secondary pursuit. This hobby has
led Peter into some fantastic areas of the Rockies and
it never fails to challenge his understanding of human
limits. Peter shares this passion with friends because it
takes them outside their comfort zone, which reveals
a lot about character. It also provides another opportunity to teach people skills that may help them down
the road.
Assignment: Flight school in Feb. 2012 at Vance Air
Force Base in Enid, Oklahoma
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering
Management
Leadership: Wing Operations NCO, Summer 2009,
Group 4 Stan/Eval NCO Fall 09, Squadron
Stan/Eval Officer Fall 2010.
Highlights/Special Activities: Competed on Air Force
Cross Country Running, Indoor and Outdoor Track and
Field Teams all 4 years at the Academy. Had set 4
school records on the track in distance running events,
been All Mountain West Conference 7 times, and
Coaches Association All American 2 ties. Served as
team captain senior year. Participated in Powered
Flight and summer space programs. Counselor for
summer sports camp. Went on Operations Air Force
to Mildenhall Air Force UK Base summer 2009 and
spent time with the 100th Air Refueling Squadron.
Summer Plans: Plans to spend the summer competing
in various track competitions around the world
Assignment: Pilot Training at Columbus Air Force
Base, Columbus, Mississippi
Salute to 2011 Graduates!
RYAN THOMAS WITZIG
KELLI WOOD
Name:
Ryan Thomas Witzig
Name:
Kelli Wood
Squadron:
31 "Grim Reapers"
Squadron:
16 "Proud Chickenhawks"
Hometown:
Rochester, MN
Hometown:
Eagan, MN
Parents:
Tom and Diane Witzig
Parents:
Mary and Scott Wood
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Biology
Degree: Bachelor of Science Degree in English
Honors: Cobra of the month, Outstanding Delta flight student for
CST, Outstanding Performer Commandant's Challenge-Squad 31,
Outstanding Squadron Commander Fall 2010. Superintendent's
List every semester. 500 Club 3 years - maximum score on the
PFT.
Leadership: Wing Safety NCO, Squadron
Standardizations/Evaluations Officer and Training
Officer, Element Leader during Summer Seminar and
was a Philmont Ranger in New Mexico before her
firstie year where she was a backcountry guide for
Boy Scouts.
Leadership: Training Clerk, BCT Element NCO, CST Survival
Cadre, Squadron Superintendent, Recondo Instructor, Element
Leader, First Degree Squadron Commander, Squadron Chief of
Training
Highlights/Special Activities: Deployed Ops to Kuwait fro 30
days. Took Powered Flight. Ryan joined the Hunting Club at the
Academy and shot elk, deer, antelope/pronghorn, pheasant,
duck and turkey using both guns and bow hunting. He used the
ivory tooth from his first bull elk as the stone in his class ring.
Summer Plans: Travel - to Israel, Canada fishing trip with Dad,
family reunion, wedding in Austin, TX. Family trip to Hawaii.
Assignment: CRO - Combat Rescue Officer - Kirtland Air Force
Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico. First 10 weeks of indoctrination at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas.
Honors: On the Commandant's List nearly every
semester, Became a Nationally Certified EMT as a 3
Degree and later received a Commendation Medal
for helping to save the life of a fellow Skydiver.
Highlights/Special Activities: Became a skydiving
coach and spent much of her time teaching cadets to
skydive
Summer plans: Dig into the log list of books she can't
wait to read along with travels to Europe and Hawaii
and a trip to wine country in CA with her mother.
Assignment: Airfield Operations at Shaw AFB in
South Carolina.
Salute to 2011 Graduates!
Editor’s note - interesting
information giving a taste
of USAFA as a whole
Cadet News
2LT RYAN WITZIG
ANNIE DALLY, 2012
The Rochester
Post Bulletin did an
interview of Ryan
that appeared in
the Memorial Day
issue. Witzig, a
Rochester native
who just graduated
from USAFA, will
soon be back in
training for a role
that involves leading enlisted men in searchand-rescue efforts for service members,
perhaps behind enemy lines.
C2C Cadet Annie
Dally was named
to the Western
Region Women's
Collegiate All-Star
Rugby Team. This
team of 28 women
was handpicked
from a large pool
of eligible players
from seven states
and will be competing at the National AllStar tournament this summer in Pittsburg, PA.
Witzig will train for rescue efforts that will
require his ability to jump from aircraft, drop
tens of thousands feet free-fall and open
his parachute just a short distance before
reaching the ground.
"It'll be a lot of riding in helicopters, jumping out of C-130 planes…there will be lots
of deployments all over the world," said
Witzig, who's made an eight-year commitment.
Ryan is currently in Israel for 10 days with
2 high school buddies of his, one is Jewish,
speaks Hebrew and has friends an relatives
there, and has planned the whole trip.
News and photos of your cadet here.
Please submit to
sjantscher@integraonline.com
ELLIOT UNSETH,2013, VANESSA UNSETH, SS
Elliot Unseth, 2013, is spending a month
at the airbase in Qatar. He and about 20
other cadets will be shadowing staff who
work in one of their own areas of interest.
Vanessa Unseth, his 17-year-old sister, is
having a fantastic time at Summer Seminar.
The intense one week visit at USAFA will
introduce them to life as a cadet and prepare them for application to the Academy.
Cadet News
KEYONA SANCHEZ, 2013
Cadet Keyona
Sanchez, 2013, has
had a full recovery
since getting injured
her freshman year
and undergoing
two hip surgeries.
Crutches, and six
months of twicea-day grueling
physical therapy followed, but she is fully
recovered and this year played lacrosse
which is one of her passions.
Keyona is a member of the gospel jazz
choir and qualified for the Commandant's
award. She will be doing her first operational tour at Beal AFB and will be on
Cadre staff this summer.
2LT LAURA STURDEVANT RECENTLY ATTENDED
BOTH MODEL UNITED NATIONS, AND MODEL
NATO IN HELD IN WASHINGTON DC. THE
DELEGATES PRACTICED NEGOTIATIONS ON
MOCK WORLD EVENTS. SHE HOPES TO
CONNECT WITH SOME OF HER NEW FRIENDS
AS SHE TRAVELS EUROPE THIS SUMMER.
AVA TAMOSUINAS, 2013, PICKED UP SKY
DIVING. PICTURED IS HER COASTING
ACROSS THE WESTERN SKIES IN A JUMP
ZONE CALLED LODI IN CALIFORNIA.
SAMMY (SAMANTHA) SARKIS, 2011, IN
SWITZERLAND ALPS. SHE IS TOURING
EUROPE THIS SUMMER BEFORE HER FIRST
POST AS AN ACQUISITION OFFICER AT
HANSCAM AFB IN BOSTON IN AUGUST.
Cadet News
COLE VON OHLEN, 2013
Cole VonOhlen had another
great wrestling season for the AF.
He went to the Nationals for the
second year in a row and also
was named Outstanding wrestler
at their end of the season banquet along
with Senior Joe Stafford.
Sharing top honors were senior captain
Joseph Stafford (Loomis, Calif.) and sophomore Cole VonOhlen (Jackson, Minn.),
who were each recipients of the Falcons'
Outstanding Wrestler award.
Meanwhile, VonOhlen was the Falcons'
lone representative at the NCAA
Championships for the second-straight
season, compiling a 44-9 overall record
on the year. His 44 wins led the nation,
while ranking tied for third-most in school
history. VonOhlen, who was ranked
among the top 10 wrestlers at 141
pounds, posted a 16-1 dual record and
was perfect against WWC competition.
VonOhlen also named Air Force Athlete
of the Week.
Alumni Parents’ Night Out
Alumni Parents - we still need connection,
support, and sharing opportunites when
our cadets “graduate” into leadership in
the AF. If you are interested in periodic
Alumni Parents’ Night Outs, please contact:
Deb Sturdevant at deb@sturdevant.msp.mn.us
ANDREW CADY, 2014, DURING ONE OF HIS
BIKE RACES THIS SPRING WITH THE USAFA
FALCONS CYCLING TEAM. AN AVID BIKING
ENTHUSIAST, RACING WAS NEW TO
ANDREW. HE LEARNED ALL ABOUT HOW TO
TUNE HIS BIKE SPECIFICALLY FOR RACING,
HOW TO TAKE TIGHT CORNERS, AND MOST
IMPORTANTLY, HOW TO FALL WELL. :)
2 LT JUSTIN TYNER WAS NAMED MOST
VALUABLE ATHLETE IN THE MEN’S PROGRAM
- PRETTY IMPRESSIVE AFTER A LUKEWARM
INITIAL RECEPTION BY USAFA - READ MORE AT:
HTTP://WWW.GAZETTE.COM/ARTICLES/TYNER119309-BENSON-STORY.HTML#IXZZ1PTQG3VOQ
TYNER'S SURPRISING RISE AT USAFA CONCLUDES AT THE NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP THIS
WEEK – ONE OF THREE ACADEMY ATHLETES
COMPETING AT THE NCAA TRACK AND FIELD
CHAMPIONSHIPS AT DRAKE UNIVERSITY.
Deb Sturdevant
11112 Hillsboro Ave N
Champlin, MN 55316
Club
Email:
usafamnpc@gmail.com
Web: www.usafamnpc.org
Address Correction Requested
Saturday
July 16th - 11am - 3pm
Saturday
Sept 3rd - approx 3pm
Saturday
Oct 1st - 10am
Thursday
October 13th - 7pm
FAMILY PICNIC
Fort Snelling State Park - Hwy 5 and Post Road
PARENTS’ WEEKEND TAILGATE
USAFA Stadium Parking Lot
MEETING
Fort Snelling Officers’ Club - Hwy 5 & Post Road
(612) 767-1960
PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT
Glockenspiel 605 7th Street W - St. Paul
(651) 292-9421 www.glockenspielrestaurant.com
Saturday
Nov 5th - 10am
MEETING
Thursday
Nov 10th - 7pm
PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT
Location TBD
Tavern on France 6740 France Ave S - Edina
(612) 358-5100 www.tavernonfrance.com
GO Air Force!
Minnesota Parents Club Events
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