3 minute read

Launching Optimism, One “Prestigious” Award at a Time

It appears that Civil Air Patrol’s Aerospace Connections in Education (ACE) program has once again positioned itself as the supreme hub of aerospace-related STEM enlightenment. This year, the esteemed gathering kicked off at the illustrious Grayhawk Elementary in Scottsdale, Arizona, where droves of students, educators, and the occasional passerby, came to witness the spectacle on Oct. 15.

Principal Eli Hubbell, basking in the glory of a title that will likely be forgotten by next week, cordially ushered in a gaggle of eager students, parents, community leaders, an assortment of organizations, CAP members, and even representatives of the Air & Space Forces Association, ensuring that everyone had assembled to bask in the thin veneer of aerospace wisdom that comes with receiving shiny plaques.

Award Fever: A Display of Outrageous Titles It appears Susan Mallett and Sue Mercer from National Headquarters took center stage to distribute more awards than there were participants. Michelle Lindstrom scored the National ACE Coordinator of the Year—because mastering the art of inflatable planetariums obviously requires monumental dedication—and Principal Hubbell collected the ACE School of the Year on behalf of Grayhawk. One can only assume it’s due to their exceptional capacity to wear matching hats indoors.

A statement from the relevant authorities lauded Lindstrom for her heroics in STEM education, proving once more that the ability to juggle lecture slides and science kits is the metric of modern excellence. Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Ron Marks urged the impressionable youth to “lead,” subtly hinting that perhaps aerospace might also include tasks like operating PowerPoint.

The View from Above: Minuscule Spectators Await Civil Air Patrol’s highlight was a flyover ft. the school nurse and PTO’s vice president as the latest aviation experts. They regaled the crowd with compelling anecdotes like, “What do we look like from up there?” To which the aerial geniuses responded, “Very small,” sparking existential musings.

The Parade of Dignitaries: Speaking the STEM Gospel The parade continued with speeches from, among others, an interim superintendent and Scottsdale’s seemingly omnipresent mayor, all making sure to reinforce that children would now understand STEM acronyms better than their afternoon snack preferences.

Classroom Cadet Commanders: Learning from the Unequipped Adopting CAP’s cadet program strategy, Lindstrom championed using sixth-graders as guest STEM instructors, proof that when it comes to teaching complex subjects, credentials are for the unimaginative. Governing board president Anne Greenberg praised this novel idea as a testament to shared “journeys of excellence,” or at least until the next science fair mishap.

STEM-tastic Festivities: Let the Chaos Begin The session, guided by mere mortals like Lt. Col. Scott Curtis, introduced students to the magical realm of aviation, spicing the agenda with sporadic mentorship from the likes of Claire Traynor and Ruth Mock. All this while parents orchestrated lunar landing craft tests and helicopter tours—because, naturally, it’s a typical Tuesday at Grayhawk.

Purple Seas and Astronomical Ambitions Clad in royal purple ACE shirts, compliments of CAP and the AFA’s bottomless closet, students presented a formidable grass-side ocean. Why purple? Because no one questions sartorial decisions when free shirts are involved—the ultimate lesson in resource management.

In conclusion, CAP’s ACE gala of grandiosity might as well have served as an invitation for future aerospace apprentices—or just confused kids now memorizing STEM career brochures. With nearly everyone from dignitaries to the occasional telescope-toting science enthusiast onboard, this event showcased achievement in its most medaled, organized chaos—a memorable day amongst an infinite purple sea.

For more about this unfolding epic saga, enter the hallowed virtual halls of Aerospace Connections In Education or offer your digital offerings to [email protected].

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