Swamp Fox Brings AFA Aerospace Education to Sumter eSTEAM Festival

October 27, 2026

AFA’s Swamp Fox Chapter #298 participated in the annual eSTEAM Festival in downtown Sumter, S.C., on October 3, highlighting dynamic opportunities for students and educators to engage in cybersecurity, aerospace, and space education.

The event drew 86 vendors and approximately 8,000 guests, including “Next Gen” representatives from local Civil Air Patrol Sumter Composite Squadron and Air Force Junior ROTC programs. Throughout the day, Swamp Fox Chapter representatives raised awareness of AFA’s commitment to inspiring the next generation of aerospace and technology leaders.

Representing AFA’s Swamp Fox Chapter at the festival were Cheryl R. Moye, Chapter Vice President and State President; Tech. Sgt. Greggria Sylvester, Vice President of Education; and dedicated member Col. William Oden, USAF (Ret.). Together, the team engaged with guests and promoted AFA’s flagship educational programs. They also distributed hundreds of informational flyers, pamphlets, and model astronauts.

Col. William Oden, USAF (Ret.) (left), AFA member and Chairman of Hidden Wounds, and Tech. Sgt. Greggria Sylvester (right), Swamp Fox Chapter #298 Vice President of Education, engage with local attendees during the annual eSTEAM Festival .

The Swamp Fox Chapter showcased both CyberPatriot, AFA’s National Youth Cyber Education Program, and StellarXplorers, AFA’s space-focused STEM program. Representatives highlighted opportunities for 6th through 12th graders to explore cybersecurity through CyberPatriot’s National Youth Cyber Defense Competition, as well as opportunities for students to grow space-related STEM skills through StellarXplorers’ National Space Design Competition.

The Swamp Fox Chapter’s commitment to STEM education extends far beyond event participation. In a major milestone for local youth, the chapter has made a significant investment in building and funding the first cybersecurity bus in the Sumter School District.

The cybersecurity bus provides students with direct access to cybersecurity education, hands-on technology experiences, and career exploration in one of the nation’s fastest-growing fields.

Members of the AFA Swamp Fox Chapter #298 and active-duty partners stand alongside the Sumter School District’s brand-new cybersecurity bus.

Through the project, the chapter invested directly in the physical resources students need to succeed, showcased a powerful partnership between education, industry, community organizations, and continued AFA’s broader efforts to prepare students for tomorrow’s workforce.

Recognizing that teachers are central to student achievement, chapter representatives highlighted state-wide AFA award opportunities.

“These opportunities celebrate educators who inspire student achievement and strengthen STEM and aerospace education,” said Sylvester. “AFA’s Teacher of the Year program is one example of its commitment to recognizing outstanding teaching.”

“Our team had a blast,” said Moye. “We were able to connect directly with the community in more ways than one while showcasing the tremendous educational opportunities available through the Air & Space Forces Association, to include Teacher of the Year, Pitsenbarger, and so much more. Through our participation, Swamp Fox brought unique opportunities into the local community, emphasizing the importance of investing in the future of our students, sparking STEAM curiosity, and recognizing the educators who help them succeed.”

The Swamp Fox Chapter extends a heartfelt thank you to the organizers, volunteers, vendors, National AFA, community partners, and the thousands of guests who helped make this event a memorable success.

The Swamp Fox Chapter is proud to serve, educate, inspire, and leverage unity in the Team Sumter-Shaw community to champion the future of aerospace and STEAM.