Mt. Airy Composite cadets capture Md. Wing Color Guard Competition

 

 

(1)
Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Chris LaPoint (second from left), commander of the Mount Airy Composite Squadron Color Guard, calls out commands as the team — Cadet Senior Airman Megan Bassett (left), Cadet Master Sgt. Melissa Weinhold (second from right) and  Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Joshua Bowen — performs its Indoor Practical element.
Photo by Melissa Bassett

(2)
The Mount Airy team members proudly display their awards, including First Place Overall — (from left) Cadet Airman Ashley Peterson, Cadet Senior Airman Megan Bassett, Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Chris LaPointe, Cadet Master Sgt. Melissa Weinhold and Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Joshua Bowen. 
Photo by Cadet Col. Zachary Bowen

(3)
With judges standing by, Cadet Master Sgt. Melissa Weinhold and Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Chris LaPointe fold the flag as Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Joshua Bowen and Cadet Senior Airman Megan Bassett secure the flagpole lanyard during the wing competition’s Outdoor Practical portion. 
Photo by Melissa Bassett

 (4)
During the first round of the Panel Quiz, the Mount Airy team (front) faces off against cadets from Bowie Composite Squadron (rear) as the Maryland Wing’s vice commander, Lt. Col. John Knowles, presents the questions.
 Photo by Cadet Col. Zachary Bowen
 
 (5)
Cadet Senior Airman Megan Bassett receives the Outstanding Cadet Award for the competition from Lt. Col. John Knowles, wing vice commander.
Photo by Cadet Col. Zachary Bowen
 
(6)
(From left) Maj. Grace Stapf, the Mount Airy squadron's color guard coach, stands with her team — (from left) Cadet Airman Ashley Petersen, Cadet Master Sgt. Melissa Weinhold, Cadet Senior Airman Megan Bassett and Cadet Chief Master Sgts. Chris LaPointe and Joshua Bowen.
Photo by Cadet Col. Zachary Bowen


1st Lt. Stacey Bowen
Public Affairs Officer
Mount Airy Composite Squadron
Maryland Wing
 
MARYLAND —The Mount Airy Composite Squadron took first place in the 2010 Maryland Wing Color Guard Competition Feb. 20 at Parkland Magnet Middle School in Rockville, besting teams from seven other units.

The teams competed in six elements —  Outdoor Practical, Indoor Practical, Standard Drill, Inspection, Panel Quiz, and Written Exam.  Their performances were judged by members from the U.S. Air Force 70th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing Honor Guard, the Air Force ROTC detachment at the University of Maryland and Maryland Wing Headquarters.

During the Outdoor Practical element, cadets raised and lowered a flag while rendering the proper respect.  Once they lowered the flag, it was folded and presented to the chief judge.

For the Indoor Practical competition, cadets presented the colors as they would before an indoor audience, such as at a banquet or conference.  Once the colors were presented, cadets posted them in stands.  After the reporting again to the chief judge, the cadets ceremonially removed the flag.

To perform Standard Drill, cadets marched in line formation as they would during a pass-in-review or parade, following a specified drill sequence.

Cadets underwent Inspection while standing in formation.  Judges looked for uniform appearance, posture, demeanor and equipment condition.

The Panel Quiz gave the cadet teams an opportunity to face each other in a round-robin format, answering questions related to aerospace education.

Cadets were given 45 minutes to complete the Written Exam  — 50 questions based on the Civil Air Patrol Leadership curriculum and several other CAP regulations and manuals.

In addition to the Mount Airy team’s overall win, Cadet Senior Airman Bassett received the Outstanding Cadet Award, which recognizes outstanding demeanor, appearance, integrity and sportsmanship during the competition.

Along with Bassett, the team consisted of Cadet Chief Master Sgts. Chris LaPointe and Joshua Bowen, Cadet Master Sgt. Melissa Weinhold and Cadet Airman Ashley Petersen, who served as alternate.  Maj. Grace Stapf coached the cadets

Stapf had put a call out for color guard cadets about a month before the competition.  Those chosen had limited experience with color guard ceremonies, but they were ready to take on the challenge of preparing for the event. 

“Coaching this color guard team has been a great experience.  The cadets are awesome and eager to learn.  They have caught on quickly and are very professional, which is one of my biggest emphases,” Stapf said.

“They make my job very easy and very fun,” said Stapf, the squadron’s professional development officer and aide-de-camp to CAP’s national commander, Maj. Gen. Amy S. Courter.  She has also assisted with CAP’s National Honor Guard Academy.   

The team practiced every weekend and even some weekdays when snow closed area schools.

“We spent much of our time practicing basic movements together, but it was up to each member as an individual to make a commitment and study on our own,” said LaPointe, the color guard’s commander.

The team held mock panel quiz sessions, along with indoor and outdoor skill review.  In between practices, cadets hit the books. 

 “I would usually break open an aerospace chapter right before bed” in order to “have time to sleep on the information,” Bassett said.

Weinhold said she spent about four hours studying the material. 

Bowen said he “had some experience with the panel quiz from being on the drill team last year,” so he “knew how important it was to be ready with the answers.”

As the alternate, Petersen was responsible for learning each member’s part in all six elements  in case she was called on to fill in.      

The team members agreed that Stapf played a key role in motivating them. 

 “Maj. Stapf worked tirelessly and sacrificed much of her time to make sure we had all the training we needed to be ready for the competition,” LaPointe said.

Bassett added, “It’s very nice to have someone who is willing to spend their time devoted to a team the way Maj. Stapf is.  She has and still will be a large influence.”

The first-place finish earned the team the opportunity to represent the wing March 20 at the Middle East Region Color Guard Competition at Fort Pickett, Va. The members have already begun preparations for this next level, which will include an additional element — the mile run. 

For Stapf, “There is something very special about teaching young people the meaning of patriotism — the meaning of being an American.  It is an honor to carry the American flag and the flag of Civil Air Patrol.  It is an honor to wear the Air Force uniform and by doing so to recognize and remember those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. 

“So many people today forget the meaning of freedom, and for me to be able to teach it to cadets is a great privilege.”