New Group V School Squadron a Success

2 March 2007
PIPE CREEK, Texas - During the last months of the 2005-06 school year, secondary students at Pipe Creek Christian School expressed their desire for a military program be implemented at the school.  One of the full time volunteers, Mrs. Ilene Stephenson, took up the challenge and investigated the possibilities.  She soon discovered that a JROTC could not be implemented because of the small size of the school.  With only 29 students enrolled in the middle and high schools, some other program would have to suffice.  Then Mrs. Stephenson discovered the Civil Air Patrol program and called Lt Col Billman, commander of the Southern Texas Wing, CAP, to familiarize herself with it and to solicit support.  The Civil Air Patrol was subsequently introduced to the middle and high school students at the beginning of the 2006-07 school year.  Twenty-three of the twenty-nine students joined the program.  Mrs. Stephenson was appointed commander and five adults joined as senior members.

During the CAP’s first year, cadets completed the orientation course and attended the Curry Leadership School in Houston, TX, earning their first stripe.  The Arnold Leadership School was held on the campus of Pipe Creek Christian School during November and was lead by Commander Stephenson.  Thirteen cadets and three senior members also attended the Winter Encampment in Bastrop, TX, at Camp Swift between Christmas and New Years Day.

CAP Squadron 804 marched in three parades during the school year and several students took their first flight.  The cadets also built and launched rockets.  During January, an honor/color guard was formed and are being trained by the Lackland active duty honor guard in San Antonio.

The CAP program has been successful at Pipe Creek Christian School as other students were allowed to join during January.  The squadron has also opened itself up to home schooled students.

Article submitted by C/A1C Ralph Luke Williams