Air Force JROTC cadets Jessica Merritt and Tiffany Blocker have been selected to attend the premiere aviation camp in the United States, the Oshkosh, Wisconsin Advanced Air Academy in July 2008, according to Colonel Gary Breedlove, JROTC Program Director at Bainbridge High School. 


Cadet Tiffany Blocker, left and Cadet Jessica Merritt

The Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 445 from Tallahassee, Florida selected these two cadets from among numerous applications over the past several months.  Sponsored by Chapter 445, they will receive round trip airfare and all registration costs for this prestigious high school aviation camp in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, July 22-30, 2008.

Kelley Phillips, EAA Chapter 445 Board Member, said "the cadets will receive academic and "hands on" experiences in practically every area of aviation, including a "left seat" orientation flight with a Certified Flight Instructor.  In addition, they will have the opportunity to participate in the "Oshkosh AirVenture" which is the largest general aviation air show in the world.  There is no better aviation camp anywhere and we are very pleased to sponsor these outstanding young ladies this year.  Our primary source of funds for the sponsorship comes from our annual AirFest air show at the Tallahassee Airport.  This year's AirFest will be Saturday and Sunday, May 17th and 18th.  Our EAA Chapter will recognize these 'Oshkosh winners' at noon on Sunday during AirFest 2008.  I want to offer our congratulations to these well deserving young aviators."

Colonel Breedlove commented that "these two cadets both became interested in flying through the EAA Chapter 445's 'Young Eagle' flight orientation program conducted at the local Bainbridge Airport.  Since they started Jessica Merritt has accumulated 13 flights and Tiffany Blocker has three.  They are both very excited about the opportunity to expand their knowledge through the Advanced Air Academy, and we are extremely pleased that Chapter 445 has been so generous toward our efforts in aviation.  Cadets Merritt and Blocker make the fifth and sixth cadets to have this terrific camp experience at Oshkosh, Wisconsin.  The previous four were Michael Love, Josh Pope, Phillip Lambert, and Derrick Akins.  We will have three Oshkosh graduates in our program when school starts back in August and this will give a great group to help with future flight orientation programs and to pass on their knowledge to other cadets and younger students in Decatur County."