Anna

Hi! I'm Anna Dell and I'm 14 years old. I am a solo glider pilot and a Technical Sergeant (that means five stripes) in the Civil Air Patrol. I love to fly and I am currently working towards taking my FAA Written Exam in Glider in the next few months. I hope to get my Fixed-Wings on my 16th Birthday in the Glider. I would like to pursue Fixed-Wings in Power and in the Helicopter around my 17th and 18th Birthday. I am a member of the Soaring Society of America and I am working towards my B and C Badge. To get my B Badge I will have to stay up in the air for thirty minutes and for my C Badge that means staying up for an hour-all by myself.

Mostly life revolves around Civil Air Patrol. I'm working towards my "Billy Mitchell Award" for around October (I will be a Lieutenant). I am a member of our Squadrons Color Guard and currently serving on the Wing! Cadet Advisory Council. I feel Civil Air Patrol has been probably the most rewarding organization I've ever served on as a member..We have Leadership, Aerospace and Moral Education, plus I should not forget the Physical Training. It definitely has helped me live a more disciplined and goal oriented life.

This past month I attended my first Desert Field Training Exercise with Emergency Services through Civil Air Patrol. I do not believe I have ever been so dirty, so hungry and so sleepy in my whole life. I learned so much during those few days. I would do it again.

I was just nominated by the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Programs for Who's Who American High Schooler's. I also recently wrote an article for our "Wings Newsletter" and the "National Civil Air Patrol News" about the "Valley of the Sun Festival" which was put on by the "Sally Ride Science Club." What a neat opportunity for "Young Women" to be by such a very Famous Astronaut and Physicist. I bought her books, got her autograph and made sure I got pictures. It was a wonderful event. I am now an "Official Member" of her "Science Club," as well.

I go to a Charter School that allows me to move at my own speed and I am an "A" student. I love to study and read. Sometimes I read two or three books at a time.

One of my new found passions is "Rocketry." I just became a member of the National Association of Rocketry. Presently, I'm learning Telemetry for my Rocket Team. We plan to compete this summer at the Air Force Academy.

In March I won an essay contest for "Women In Flight" at a local Air and Space Museum. My award is a full week at the U.S. Space Academy in Huntsville, Alabama. I wrote about my hero, Lt. Colonel Martha McSally. She is the highest ranking fighter pilot in the United States Air Force, a graduate of the Air Force Academy, she received her Master's from Harvard and was a nominee as a White House Fellow. She recently sued the U.S. Government for making servicewomen wear the "abaya" (the long black robe and head wrap worn by Muslim women in Saudi Arabia) and she won! This lady placed "Service Before Self." I just think she is awesome. Lt. Colonel McSally has given me much to aspire to! She's my Hero!

I love to volunteer and my most Favorite Place to volunteer is at the Challenger Learning Center. It is full of great Aerospace History and Activities. I have learned so much about Aeronautical History just by being allowed to be a member of their Volunteer Family. It's an awesome experience to say the least.

I am currently working on my own Web Site that will be a place for Teenage Girls who love Flight, Rockets and Aerospace.

I want to leave you with a quote from "My Creed", By Dean Alfonge, From Contrails, Vol 33, p138, United States Air Force Academy.

I do not choose to be a common man. It is my right to be uncommon. I seek opportunity to develop whatever talents God gave me - not security. I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the state look after me. I want to take the calculated risk; to dream and to build, to fail and to succeed. I refuse to barter incentive for a dole. I prefer the challenge of life to the guaranteed existence; the thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of utopia. I will not trade freedom for beneficence, nor my dignity for a handout. I will never cower before any earthly master nor bend to any threat. It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and unafraid; to think and act myself, enjoy the benefit of my creations and to face the world boldly and say, "This, with God's help. I have done." All this is what it means to be an American.

I am so excited to serve on the Young Women of NASA Advisory Council and to continually work towards "MY DREAM" of living on Space Station one day in the future.

Virtual Take Our Daughters To Work Day Webchat Archive: 04-25-2002