Teen Cadet Earns Civil Air Patrol Award

Sara Rosborough, 18, of Durham received the Civil Air Patrol (CAP)’s Billy Mitchell Award in a special ceremony at Meriden’s Markham Airport on Monday night. The award marks a cadet’s move from the ranks of the enlisted to the rank of officer. Rosborough is now a cadet lieutenant with the CAP Silver City Squadron. 

The CAP’s Connecticut Wing Commander, Colonel Cassandra Huchko, came to Markham to present the award to Rosborough. She recalled meeting with the teen when she first visited the Silver City Squadron at 16. “And look where she is now,” Huchko said.

At the end of the ceremony, Lt. Connie Castillo announced that Rosborough has also accepted a nomination to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado. Only 1,200 of 12,000 applicants are accepted, according to a letter from the Academy read by Castillo.

“You should be extremely proud of your offer, as only the best of the best are so honored,” the letter stated.

Rosborough, a senior at Middletown’s Mercy High School, enters the Air Force Academy at the end of June.

To earn the Billy Mitchell Award, a cadet must pass comprehensive leadership and aerospace tests, attend a week-long encampment at a military installation, pass rigorous physical agility tests, and complete a certain number of activities with his or her unit. Those activities include things like participating in orientation flights and emergency service training courses.

“It takes a great deal of time to meet all the requirements,” says Major Janis Daviault of the Silver City Air Patrol.

The award qualifies cadets for advanced placement to the grade of E-3 (Airman First Class) upon entering the Air Force as well as scholarships and special activities.

Rosborough’s mentors, teachers and fellow cadets have high praise for her.

“Anything she was given to do, she did it 110 percent,” says 1st Lt. Richard Laskevitch.

Her natural leadership ability shone through early. At her encampment, she was chosen as honor cadet from among the 111 attendees.

Sara has always been interested in space, according to her mom, Diane Rosborough. She probably inherited the interest from her father, Rick, an aerospace engineer. That interest peaked during her sophomore year when Rosborough attended a leadership conference on defense in Washington, D.C., and visited a naval air station.

For her 16th birthday, her parents took her to the Connecticut Science Museum, where she personally met with Jason Archer, director of the space exhibits. When he learned of her interest, he steered her toward the Civil Air Patrol. She’s been a devoted member ever since.

The Civil Air Patrol is the volunteer arm of the U.S. Air Force. It provides training in three main areas: aerospace, emergency services and cadet leadership. The cadet program accepts young people between the ages of 12 and 18. The Silver City Squadron has 57 members—41 cadets and 26 senior members from the greater Meriden area, according to Squadron Commander Capt. Roger Malagutti.

“I think it’s wonderful,” Diane Rosborough says of the CAP, citing the caliber of people, the mentorship, the opportunities for leadership, and the emphasis on character development.

“All these people are volunteers giving their time to these young people,” she says.

Sara’s dad agrees. “The people here were a tremendous help to her. She got a lot of guidance and support,” he says.