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Civil Air Patrol Cadet From Wheeling Park High School Honored

Photo by Heather Ziegler Civil Air Patrol cadet Luke Knollinger is flanked by his parents, Scott and Barbara Knollinger, after the cadet received the General Ira C. Eaker Award.

When someone says Luke Knollinger has his head in the clouds, he just might take that as a compliment.

The 17-year-old Wheeling Park High School senior has been a member of the local Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program since he was 12. He has worked diligently to earn the cadet title, awards and honors over the past five years — and just this week, he was presented the General Ira C. Eaker Award, the second-highest award given to cadets in the program.

It is presented to cadets who have demonstrated excellence in leadership, character, fitness and aerospace education.

On hand at the Wheeling Squadron Headquarters at the Wheeling-Ohio County Airport for the award presentation were Knollinger’s parents, Scott and Barbara Knollinger of Valley Grove; Col. Paul G. McCroskey II, CAP West Virginia Wing Commander; state Sen.-elect Ryan Weld, R-Brooke, who also is a captain in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, having served in Afghanistan; and a host of other cadets and Civil Air Patrol members.

In presenting the award, Weld said, “You should be very proud of yourself. This is a big deal.”

Weld said in order to win the award, a cadet must complete cadet school, write a 300-500-word essay and present a speech on leadership topics. Judging by the number of ribbons on Knollinger’s uniform, he completed all of the requirements and more.

Most importantly, Weld said, Knollinger proved himself a winner in the areas of critical thinking and delegation.

“This will serve you very well as you move on … your ability to think outside the box. As for delegation, you are able to look at your people and see their qualities and allow them to shine.”

Knollinger attended a leadership encampment with the Ohio Wings in 2012. He was 13, in seventh grade and the youngest participant.

“It was a challenge, but it taught me several things that I will take with me the rest of my life, and have taken with me since. I can honestly say that without Civil Air Patrol, I would not be where I am today in uniform and out. It has taught me integrity and to value that as well as leadership in the everyday aspects of life.”

Knollinger is senior class president at Wheeling Park, where he created the Patriots Helping Patriots program that assists local veterans. He maintains a 4.38 grade point average in the honors program at WPHS, with an emphasis on studies relating to science, technology engineering and math and computer technology. He also is captain of the hockey team.

“I saw that in the community there wasn’t enough help for veterans, and I wanted to do something about it,” he added.

As for the future, Knollinger will graduate from WPHS in the spring, and has been accepted to attend the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., something he has always dreamed of doing.

The Wheeling Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol, which meets at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Wheeling-Ohio County Airport, welcomes any young girl or boy interested in aerospace education to come to a meeting and learn more about the program.

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