1. 2. 3. 4.

[1] The Texas Wing team gets ready for Inspection. [2] Inspection was a carefully graded event. [3] The Outdoor Presentation gave the Texas Wing team a chance to shine. [4] The Mile Run was a true team effort, and it brought home a win for Texas Wing.

Following this event, the cadets got to meet the judges, and that was really cool. With the day's competition events completed, it was time to get to know the other cadets who had made it thus far. How? With a Pizza Party! Back at the billets, there were hundreds of slices of hot fresh pizza, just waiting to be eaten. The billets' common area was a great place for the cadets to get together and hang out, with its pool tables, air hockey, foosball, darts, and big-screen TV. Some cadets wanted to burn a little energy, so they grabbed a football, went outside, split into teams and had a great time. When the activities died down, Texas hit the books, studied for a while, and then went to bed. They wanted plenty of rest under their belt for the following day.

On Saturday, the final day of the competition, the team filed into the CAP van and headed for breakfast. After "refueling," the team progressed to the 552nd TFW building, where they would be taking their Written Test. After cramming in some last-minute studying in the van, they moved into their testing rooms, hoping they were prepared. Following the 50-question test came the Mile Run, and Texas was last to compete once again. Seeing all the runners finish in six minutes, and some even in the fives, the team promised themselves that they would run the fastest they ever had. Soon came their turn.

Just before starting, they stretched and anxiously made their way to the starting line. "Go!" called the tester, and they were off. They ran well, but now the starving team went to lunch for relief. Cafeteria trays got piled up high with food that was all gone in a matter of minutes, and that's when the arm wrestling started. To pass the time, some color guard teams started an arm wrestling match until it was time for the Panel Quiz. It was really fun, and eventually it turned into a push-up, sit-up, and chin-up contest outside.

5. 6. 7.  8.

[5] The Panel Quiz was harder than anticipated, so Texas didn't do too well. [6] Hoping to place well in the rankings, the Texas Wing Color Guard shared a table with Maj. J. D. Draper, Lt. Col. Deborah French, and Lt. Col. Dawn King. [7] When the announcement was made, the Texas Wing team nearly run up to the stage to accept the first prize. At far left is Col. R. Frank Eldridge, SWR Director of Cadet Programs, and at far right is Col. Joseph Jensen, SWR Commander. [8] The Texas Wing Color Guard team, after its win, posed for a group photo. (Photo #6, Cadet Hamm's father; All others, Maj. J. D. Draper.)

Next came the Panel Quiz, the final event for the day before the awards ceremony. Once again, the team crammed in a little bit more, studying right up to the instant they went into the Panel Quiz room. They came up against the first team in the first round, which they won – four more to go. As they faced the next team, feeling confident after having won the first round, they were disappointed as they lost the next 3 rounds just by five points each. The team then headed back to their rooms and got into their blue service uniforms, anxious to hear the results of the competition.

After some opening remarks and a buffet dinner that no one really tasted, everyone eagerly awaited the final scores. Individual awards were presented first, C/SMSgt. Austin Lowery (Texas) received the award for the highest written test score. C/SSgt Dakota Swearengin (Arkansas) received the male fleet foot award, and C/SSgt. Hannah Disraeli received the female fleet foot award. Cadet Swearengin also received the outstanding cadet award. The first event award presented was for the written test; the team's hopes began to build up as Texas Wing placed first. The next award, for the Panel Quiz, went to the Arkansas team. When they heard the next first place go to Texas, the Texas Wing team realized that they might have a shot at winning the competition itself.

Then followed a streak of first place awards handed over to the Texas team, The Indoor Practical, Outdoor Practical, Standard Drill, and Mile Run awards were all presented to Texas Wing. The Inspection award went to Arizona. With smiles from ear to ear, realizing they'd won, it came as no surprise to the Texas Wing team when it was announced that the first place winner of the Southwest Region Color Guard Competition was Texas Wing. The overjoyed team practically jumped out of their chairs as they went up to the stage to receive their first place trophy. Smiles and congratulations ended the evening, and the excited team went to sleep in total happiness.

After a very exciting evening, the next day dawned and it was time for the team to pack their things and clean their rooms. After saying their goodbyes to all the new friends they'd made during the competition, they repacked the van and got started on their eight-hour drive home. When they got back to Camp Mabry, to their surprise, their parents were waiting to congratulate them with signs, banners, and lots, lots of hugs. After unloading and cleaning the van, they posed for more pictures with families, and finally went home for some well deserved rest.

The Southwest Region competition was an amazing experience for the Texas Wing Color Guard, and it will be forever in their memories as one of those cadet activities that make CAP such a fun and exciting experience. This year’s team included C/SMSgt. Austin Lowery as Commander and US Flag bearer, C/CMSgt. Aaron Harold as 2nd Flag bearer, C/CMSgt. David Hamman as US Flag guard, C/SSgt.Hannah Disraeli as 2nd Flag guard, C/MSgt. Ali Pautz as 1st Alternate and C/SSgt. Russell Darr as 2nd Alternate. The senior member advisor to the Pegasus Color Guard was Maj. J. D. Draper.