A Cathedral Prep student will be amongst 200 nationwide to join the Air Force JROTC Flight Academy.
Caleb Dacus ’24 will attend the highly selective academy this summer at Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Dacus was not selected as a primary or alternate, but later found out that he was going to be added to the list to attend the academy.
The two-month aviation training program is free for students through scholarships funded by the U.S. Air Force. All costs will be covered for Caleb to attend, and at the end of the program, he will earn a private pilot's certification.
The Flight Academy is intended to inspire and encourage high school youth toward aviation careers. The scholarship program is a collaborative effort between the aerospace industry and the Air Force to address a national pilot shortage.
"I was truly excited for him. It's a great honor, and he's the first student ever from Cathedral Prep to attend,” said MSgt. Rich Sambuchino, AFJROTC aerospace instructor at Cathedral Prep.
Dacus was overjoyed and indicated, “My dream is to become a pilot in the United States Air Force. The AFJROTC Flight Academy is the first step toward that. It is an honor to be chosen for this program and to see my hard work over the summer pay off. I hope to continue my aviation aspirations by attending the Air Force Academy after my time at Prep. I would be the first member of my family to serve in the Air Force and a pilot in the armed forces.”
Sambuchino ended by indicating, “This is one of many opportunities provided to the Air Force junior cadets here at Prep and part of what makes our program so great.” ✈