For Immediate Release
April 19, 2012

AFA Announces Spring 2012 Civil Air Patrol Educator Grants

Arlington, VA – The Air Force Association (AFA) proudly announces the 20 recipients of the Civil Air Patrol Educator Grant, an education initiative funded by AFA and managed by the Civil Air Patrol Headquarters.

The CAP Educator Grants are each up to $250, and provided to teachers who are members of either the Air Force Association or the Civil Air Patrol. From designing model airplanes and launching rockets, to visiting Air Traffic Control towers and bases, AFA and CAP are helping teachers promote public awareness of aerospace power and the pivotal role it plays in national security. The initiative funds classroom activities or materials that benefit the entire group of students and promote knowledge of aerospace power. Grants can be applied toward field trips to aerospace museums or Air Force bases, or for books, DVDs or videotapes on aerospace topics.

“AFA is committed to supporting education initiatives, especially in the subjects of science, technology, and aerospace, which are critical for sustaining 21st century jobs in fields fundamental to U.S. air power and national security,” said George Muellner, AFA Vice Chairman of the Board for Aerospace Education. “Our partnership with CAP and these specific grants directly uphold that commitment, and we are pleased to be able to recognize, support and award some of the nation’s great educators who are also creative in their approaches to the traditional curriculum.”

AFA strongly advocates aerospace education and the development of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics as the foundational skills necessary to sustain U.S. airpower, national security and economic vitality.

Below are the grant recipients:

• Melanie Byers, Kettering Middle School, Kettering, OH
• Dan Caron, Aviation and Aerospace Education Center at Winnipesaukee, Gilford, NH
• Carla Chin, San Jose K-8 Catholic School, Jacksonville, FL
• Bonnie Dertz, Freeport Middle School, Freeport, IL
• Brandi DeSandro, Pike County Indian Education, Goshen, AL
• Cristin M. Dillard, Banks Primary School, Banks, AL
• Geri Evans, Bluff Park Elementary, Birmingham, AL
• Catherine S. Grimes, Phoenix Ranch Pre-K-8 School, Simi Valley, CA
• J. B. Groves, III, Wharton County Junior College, Richmond, TX
• Lt. Col. William Guth, North Clarion School District, Tionesta, PA
• Rebecca Hill, Maxwell Air Force Base K-8 School, Maxwell AFB, AL
• Donald B. McKeon, PhD, North Florida Rotary Youth Camp, Tallahassee, FL
• Joan Marquez, Curington Elementary, Boerne, TX
• Andrew Notarfrancesco, St. Malachy K-8 Catholic School, Philadelphia, PA
• Patrick J. Scholle, Deep Run High School, Glen Allen, VA
• Stuart Sharack, Aerospace Adventurers, Juliet Long School, Gales Ferry, CT
• Donna Smith, Russell Elementary School, Smyrna, GA
• Angela Standord, Gardner Math-Science-Technology Magnet School, Hot Springs, AR
• Jessica Walker, Goshen Elementary School, Goshen, AL
• Heather N. Watkins, Brunswick High School, Brunswick, GA