SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — Civil Air Patrol Cadets from the Sioux Falls area are representing the South Dakota Wing and the North Central Region in the CAP National Cadet Competition in Dayton, Ohio this weekend.
During the 3-day competition, Cadets compete in physical challenges, test their knowledge of aviation and leadership, demonstrate the highest levels of precision and teamwork in posting the colors, and cheer each other on in the spirit of teamwork.
There are six Cadets on the team and two Senior Members who are their mentors and chaperones.
Members of the team are:
Senior Members: 1st Lt. Thomas Anez and 1st Lt. Aaronn Giddings, Sr.
Cadet competitors: C/Maj. Keon den Hoed, C/1st Lt. Zephaniah Tolliver, C/2nd Lt. Ethan den Hoed, C/2nd Lt. Grace Ingebretsen, C/CMSgt Clara Giddings, and C/SMSgt Alex Smith.
All the members are from the Sioux Falls Composite Squadron, commanded by 1st Lt. Giddings.
Earlier, the team won the South Dakota Wing competition in Pierre, then the North Central Region competition in Missouri, for the right to represent the region in the national event. They will compete against 15 other teams from across the nation and Puerto Rico.
“For me, going to NCC is the culmination of 4 years of hard work paying off,” said team leader C/Maj. den Hoed. “I am very excited to see how far our team will go at the national level.”
The competition is designed to promote personal and team excellence and showcase today’s Cadets as tomorrow’s aerospace leaders.
“We are very proud of these six cadets who are representing not just South Dakota, but also CAP’s entire North Central Region,” South Dakota Wing Commander Col. Mike Marek. “We wish these young people, and their adult escorts, all the best and we know that they will be professional and honorable as they compete.”
The event is held on the campus of Wright State University. The event was not held in 2020 and 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
(The S.D. Civil Air Patrol contributed this report/news release.)
