Cy Ridge cadets selected for Aerospace Technology Honors Camp

May 29, 2009 — Cypress Ridge High School Air Force Junior ROTC cadets Jennifer Alvarez and Elizabeth “Libby” Murphey will attend the week-long Aerospace Technology Honors Camp this summer at the University of Oklahoma.

Alvarez and Murphey were selected by a board of Air Force officers and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers at Headquarters AFJROTC on Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Ala., for this highly competitive Air Force-sponsored camp. All camps are hosted near Air Force Bases where many of the orientation and training activities will take place. The Air Force funds all expenses for the cadets for the entire week, including travel.

The objective of the Aerospace & Technology Honors Camp is to introduce high-achieving high school cadets to scientific, technical, and rated career opportunities in the Air Force. ATHC selection is very competitive, as those selected must have a minimum GPA of 3.67, be rising sophomores, juniors or seniors enrolled in college preparatory math and science courses and demonstrate leadership potential.

The board’s selection process mirrored the Air Force promotion boards as well as ROTC scholarship boards, choosing from 1 percent of all AFJROTC cadets and selecting only 432 of more than 107,000 AFJROTC cadets to attend the camp.

The Secretary of the Air Force initiative will orient selected AFJROTC cadets to aerospace technology educational opportunities and aerospace-related careers through a “hands-on” curriculum including visits to college campuses, air and space operational units, research labs, historical sites, aerospace industries, research and technology centers and museums and provide each cadet with an incentive flight.

Additionally, cadets will hear lectures from general officers, astronauts and pilots and participate in simulator and airplane rides. Each camp is hosted on a college campus with an Air Force ROTC detachment.

Cadet Murphey plans to be a physician and has been selected to attend that specific camp, while Cadet Alvarez plans to become an Air Force officer and fly jets.