When it comes to the dreams of the Nwokorie siblings, they aim high.

Rophina, Agnes and Placid Nwokorie of Gonzales are fierce competitors.

The three siblings simultaneously received the The General Billy Mitchell Award, one of the the Civil Air Patrol’s most prestigious cadet honors, Saturday morning at the Louisiana Regional Airport in Gonzales.

The award is earned after completing the first eight achievements of the cadet program.
Cadets must pass a 100-question examination on leadership theory and aerospace topics.

Cadets earning the award are promoted to Cadet 2nd Lieutenant.

Those who receive the award are also eligible for advanced placement in the grade of E-3 (Airman First Class) if they enlist in the U.S. Air Force. They are also eligible for advanced credit in the Air Force ROTC program. Cadets may also apply for a variety of scholarships and special activities.

The Nwokories are natives of Nigeria, moving to Gonzales about nine years ago.

The three cadets have been members of the Ascension Parish Composite Squadron since 2007.
Rophina and Agnes are both East Ascension High School students. Placid is a student at Gonzales Middle School.

Their family emigrated to the United States to give the children educational opportunities. Their father is a truck driver and their mother is a substitute teacher at Carver Primary School.

The three siblings each have set high goals for their futures.

Rophina, 17, plans on becoming a flight surgeon. Agnes, 15, hopes to become a pediatrician. Placid Jr., 13, dreams of becoming an Air Force pilot and cardiologist.

The three agreed they have different struggles, but it is through those struggles that molds them into leaders.

“We have more challenges ahead,” Agnes said. “Every leader has a struggle.”

The siblings said education is important in their family and they are also competitive academically.

The squadron’s commander, Lt. Col. Phil Collins, said the promotion of the three siblings is unique, and may be the first time it has ever happened in the history of the Civil Air Patrol.

“They’re very competitive with each other,” Collins said, himself an Air Force veteran.

He said the three were “extremely aggressive in absorbing the necessary information.”

Collins recognized the Nwokorie family as a “real asset to Gonzales.”

He credited their parents and children with volunteer work around the airport.

“They participate and are just exceptional,” he said.

Collins said he has seen many cadets change for the better.

He recalled one cadet who was unsure of himself and lacked confidence. But after going through the program, he gained confidence and stood proud.

“There’s my reward right there,” Collins said. “He’s going to be a real asset where ever he goes.”
“We may be small, but we’ve had some outstanding cadets come through our program,” he said.

“We make them feel wanted and a part of something. We’re proud of our cadets.”

Collins said many do not know about the Civil Air Patrol. Much of its duties include search and rescue missions. Cadets must be prepared to respond, both in the air and on the ground.

Civil Air Patrol is a nonprofit civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force, comprised of volunteers of various backgrounds.

The Civil Air Patrol provides various emergency services, such as search and rescue, disaster relief, humanitarian services and illegal drug operations. It performs 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions.

For more information, see the Civil Air Patrol Web site at gocivilairpatrol.com.