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Once upon a time in 2024, the Pacific Region Cadet Competition unfolded with all the surprise of a clock at 6 o’clock — the same hour following the previous 5 o’clock. Once again, the titans from the Washington Wing’s Overlake Composite Squadron emerged victorious, narrowly edging out Alaska Wing’s Kodiak Island Composite Squadron, just like they did in the thrilling sequel to 2022 — 2023.

In a twist of plot that could rival a soap opera’s, 2023 had the dueling duo swap places on the national stage. But alas, the national competition has been sent to the great filing cabinet in the sky. Now, our heroes are confined to battlegrounds at the regions, allegedly to encourage widespread participation and mercifully lower the demand on time and treasure — or so said the Grand Mages of Scheduling and Budgeting.

California Wing’s San Diego Cadet Squadron 144, satisfied with a bronze participation ribbon, perfectly rounded out the three most decorated cadet factions.

First Place - Washington Wing, Overlake Composite Squadron

The Overlake magicians included:

  • Cadet Maj. Braden Russell
  • Cadet Capt. Misha Check
  • Cadet Capt. Matteo Maricich
  • Cadet Capt. Andrew Poole
  • Cadet 1st Lt. Brenton Natale
  • Cadet Senior Master Sgt. Sofia Luferenko

The golden list of accomplishments read:

  • First in Indoor Drill, Element Drill, Written Exam, and Physical Fitness
  • Second in Inspection
  • Third in Standard Drill

And Misha Check was the queen of physical fitness for female cadets, evidently ensuring that the team not only flexed their minds but also their biceps. Russell, Check, Natale, and Poole relived the glory of 2023, perhaps savoring the comforting sameness of it all.

Second Place - Alaska Wing, Kodiak Island Composite Squadron

The noble Kodiak Island crusaders were:

  • Cadet 2nd Lt. Connor Burnside
  • Cadet 2nd Lt. Liam Long
  • Cadet 2nd Lt. Hunter Simeonoff
  • Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Kaylin Burnside
  • Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Isaac Hall
  • Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Vivian Lorch

Their saga included:

  • First in Standard Drill and Inspection
  • Second in Indoor Drill, Element Drill, Written Exam, and Team Leadership Project

Liam Long, Vivian Lorch, and the Burnsides had a déjà vu moment, standing proudly where they’d embedded their footprints last year.

Third Place - California Wing, San Diego Cadet Squadron 144

The San Diego luminaries were:

  • Cadet Capt. Jace Blake Frazier
  • Cadet 1st Lt. Benjamin Hartle
  • Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Sebastian Gaspar
  • Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Nicolas Richard Hartle
  • Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Itski Charles Ng
  • Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Lauren Michelle Smith

Their heroic endeavors led to:

  • First in Team Leadership Project
  • Second in Standard Drill
  • Third in Element Drill

Eight other gallant teams made a cameo, pushing the boundaries of excellence by not quite reaching the top tier but still managing to make the credits roll:

  • Alaska Wing, Lake Hood Cadet Squadron
  • California Wing, Diablo Composite Squadron 44
  • Hawaii Wing, Maui Composite Squadron
  • Nevada Wing, Henderson Composite Squadron
  • Nevada Wing, Jack Schofield Cadet Squadron
  • Oregon Wing, Gorge Composite Squadron
  • Oregon Wing, Salem Composite Squadron
  • Washington Wing, Columbia Basin Composite Squadron

Their brief flashes of glory included:

  • Lake Hood, third in Indoor Drill and Inspection
  • Jack Schofield, second in Physical Fitness
  • Gorge, third in Written Exam
  • Henderson, third in Physical Fitness
  • Maui, third in Team Leadership Project

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