Matthew Clark Schopfer, a junior at Cherry Hill High School West and a member of the NJ-781st AFJROTC in Cherry Hill, has been selected to be among 300 attendees at the Air Force Academy’s prestigious Summer Seminar that runs June 13 through June 17.
Since opening its doors in 1954, the goal of this four-year military academy is to produce officers who have the knowledge, character, and motivation essential to leadership, pride in all they do and, above all else, commitment to serving their nation. Summer Seminar is a unique opportunity for high school juniors going into their senior year to see a realistic picture of what cadet life is about. At the end of the program, they will have a very clear understanding of the commitment necessary to attend the United States Air Force Academy and to become an Air Force officer.
Simulating being a USAFA cadet, they will be assigned to an element with an upper class cadet as their element leader. This cadet serves as mentor and guide. Schopfer will go to classes taught by the same faculty who instruct cadets. The 30+ workshops range from aeronautics to humanities. Schopfer will live in cadet dormitories and eat at Mitchell Hall. Schopfer will participate in a variety of physical fitness activities from morning PT to a practice Candidate Fitness Assessment.
The highlight of the program is “Doolie for a Day.” During this day, Schopfer will experience what it’s like to be a 4th class cadet — a Doolie. Schopfer will take part in activities to include marching, room inspections, military knowledge tests, obstacle course and physical training 4th class cadets undergo. At the conclusion of this day, there is a dinner at Mitchell Hall followed by a video presentation highlighting the week’s activities, and some special awards earned such as most push-ups during the simulated Combat Fitness Test (CFT), most outstanding element, etc.
For more information about the AFA, visit www.usafa.af.mil.
