Auburn University's Silver Wings chapter recently traveled to New York City for their National Conclave (NATCON) and came back with the role of Region V headquarters.
Silver Wings are the official hostesses of the Air Force ROTC for the University and partner with the Arnold Air Society to provide support for cadets and promote civic engagement.
The organization was awarded this position after Kelsey Hendrix, junior in early childhood education and current Silver Wings president, was voted president for Region V. Along with winning this spot, Auburn's Silver Wings were awarded The John Burdette Binkley Award for the most outstanding Silver Wings chapter in the nation.
"The fact that they have won this award means a lot," said Capt. Ashleigh Thomas, faculty advisor for Silver Wings. Thomas said the reach of the award is what makes it so amazing.
Hendrix said there are 48 chapters throughout the nation and that a panel looked over applications sent in by each chapter to make their final decision. The panel looks at many aspects of the chapter, especially the amount of civic engagement shown by each.
NATCON is an annual event that gives Silver Wings around the country a chance to meet and share leadership skills and also receive honors. Hendrix said there were around 1500 people in attendance this year, and that included many three and four-star generals.
"The conclave is a real eye opener to how the military works," Hendrix said.
As the headquarters for Region V, Hendrix will oversee many chapters throughout the Southeast including those from Ole Miss, Samford and the University of Tennessee, which was the previous headquarters location.
Outside of the applications and recognition at the annual conclaves, the University's Silver Wings chapter works extremely hard to promote its purpose.
Thomas said Silver Wing's main role is a civic organization and its secondary role is to offer support for Air Force cadets.
"That's the stuff they don't get awarded for," Thomas said. "The personal support they give these cadets is so important."
Hendrix said Silver Wings always do what they can to help out the cadets. This includes the girls baking cookies every Thursday and a cheering team during the many fitness tests the cadets have to complete at extremely early hours of the day.
"Cadets pour themselves into this fitness test at six in the morning, and Silver Wings come out and cheer for them and bring them breakfast," Thomas said.
Thomas said Silver Wings also write to the cadets during their summer fieldwork when they are allowed no contact except through mail.
"They are making the ultimate sacrifice so anything I can do for them counts," said Kelsey Cardinal, publicity chair and sophomore in biomedical sciences. "We are really there for cadets and community service."
Cardinal said Silver Wings works really hard to give back to the community. Recently they coordinated a trip with the Arnold Air Society that had them go to a low-income school in Birmingham and talk to students about math and science.
Hendrix said they have many plans for this upcoming year to work with Boys and Girls Club and hold fundraisers like they did last year for Multiple Sclerosis.
More than anything, Cardinal and Hendrix said they both want to get the word out to the University's students about what Silver Wings has to offer.
"Once you talk to many Silver Wings, you will see how passionate we are about our role," Cardinal said.
Hendrix said to be on the lookout for information on how to join Silver Wings in the fall.
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