Programs

Support

Northeast Texas Chapter 416 provides direct funds to support educational programs, robotics, drones, rockets, and other STEM activities. Interested educators should email or provide information on their program and detailed cost information for consideration. We support numerous K-12 educational, Civil Air Patrol, and Community efforts, and are always looking for dedicated local sponsors for selected programs. For further information, email TX416.Northeast.President@afa.org or call 903-274-9981.

Air & Space Forces

The importance of our active, reserve, and national guard members and their families cannot be overstated. Support to Airmen & Guardians is key to long term success of our nation.

Locally, recruiters, ROTC, reservists, national guard, and members of the 645th AESS (Aeronautical Engineering Systems Squadron) located in Greenville, TX, are the most prominent military in our area.

The chapter provides direct support to 645th AESS events, member awards, and families as requests are made. In 2024, the chapter is partnering with the squadron to execute a Golf Tournament to raise funds for squadron events, awards, and support to families, and to support AFA efforts. This event will be held in Rockwall, TX.

Support to our Air Force Auxiliary, the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), is thriving in Northeast Texas. The chapter provides annual funding and direct support for education, cadet events, flight & other training, and awards to three CAP squadrons, and others as deemed appropriate.

Requests for support should be sent to TX416.Northeast.President@afa.org for consideration.

Lakeshore Composite Squadron, Rockwall, TX (TX-354) https://lakeshore.cap.gov/

Sulphur Springs Composite Squadron, Sulphur Springs, TX (TX-450) https://sulphursprings.cap.gov/

Majors Composite Squadron, Greenville, TX (TX-645) https://tx645.cap.gov/

Learn more about CAP in Texas (https://txwg.cap.gov/) and nationally (https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/)

Civil Air Patrol, Cadets of the Year

TX-354, C/2d Lt Carson Romine, Rockwall
TX-450, C/Maj Micah Rychlik, Sulphur Springs
TX-645, C/2d Lt Sabrina Graham, Greenville
View Write-up

Video of presentation for: TX354, TX450, TX645

Community

Northeast Texas is rich in opportunities to empower youth for success. AFA416 works to provide resources to aid civic leaders, educators, students, and youth, to have programs that can expose them to STEaM (Science, Technology, Engineering, [Avionics] & Math) activities.

The chapter provides a broad range of STEM and youth development support to communities in our area of responsibility. Some of the ongoing programs are listed below. We have worked with communities of Commerce, Cumby, Greenville, Lone Oak, Rockwall, Simms, Sulphur Springs, and their Independent School Districts (ISD). The ISDs have become community partners as well as has many of the businesses in these cities. We work hard to expand programs through businesses and contributors – monetary, in-kind, and in-person help.

We salute these communities and look forward to working with yours!

Commerce, TX

Robotics. In 2016, teacher Earvin Larry approached AFA for support of the planned Commerce Robotics efforts. Larry, a retired Air Force Master Sergeant, was aware of AFA and its mission to support academics. His proposal was accepted and the $5,000 funding springboarded the program to success. Since that time, a dedicated lab has been put into the school named after Lt Col Larry Ratliff, the chapter 416, Vice President for Veteran’s Affairs in 2016. He spearheaded chapter engagement in this effort. The program has expanded to include drones. Results? Students have gone on to the U.S. Air Force Academy, decided to pursue STEM related educational majors, and sought out careers related to these experiences. Teams led by Larry have won in several categories at state, region, and national competitions.

CHS College Scholarship. The Lt Col Larry Ratliff Family provides an annual scholarship for Commerce High School seniors. The $1,200 scholarship is given to a deserving student based on grades, activities, and essay. Chapter 416 is please to administer this scholarship redemption for the family.

Commerce Robotics Presentation: Earvin Larry, Commerce High School Robotics and Drone teacher gave a presentation about his programs and the impact AFA has had on his students. You can see the program here (Larry Video).

Greenville, TX

Veteran’s Day Celebration. Chapter is a key supporter of the annual Veteran’s Day event. We provide funding to support the event. Over the years, several of our officers and volunteers have been keynote speakers for the event. This type event is great to recognize veterans, those currently serving, and those who will join.

Robotics. Periodically funds are provided to support robotics team efforts at Greenville. A previous robotics teacher was a chapter ‘teacher of the year.’

Solar Car. The chapter purchased $4,000 batteries to support the outstanding solar car efforts. The purchase has provided numerous years of support to the program. A ‘teacher of the year’ was named from this program also.

Boles High School & Independent School District

The 2022 Teacher of the Year was selected from Boles High School. The STEM activities in the school and their desire to partner with our chapter inspire us.

Hughes Springs, TX

2025: Early partnerships and work in Linden, TX, in 2023, with our strong community partner, Judge Travis Ransom, led to introductions to Shannon Perez of the Hughes Springs Library. Perez desired to introduce additional STEM projects to the community and its’ youth but needed support.

Over the past five years, the Hughes Springs Public Library has successfully hosted a monthly STEM program targeted at elementary and junior high students. These engaging and educational events have consistently drawn an average of 10 to 20 participants each month. Through hands-on activities and interactive learning, we’ve nurtured an early interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics among the youth in our community.

AFA416 was able to provide over$1,350 to expand the outreach and allow the library to host their first-ever STEM program specifically for teenagers. This special event took the form of a dedicated Teen Robotics Night on March 25, 2025, which proved to be a great success. Sixteen teenagers and four adult volunteers attended the event, which lasted two hours.

Participants enjoyed a pizza dinner while receiving step-by-step guidance on assembling their own robots. Once completed, the teens had the opportunity to test and drive their robots around the room, exploring the mechanics and technology behind them. For most attendees, this was their first experience with robotics—and they were surprised and excited by how accessible and enjoyable it was.

This event not only introduced teens to new STEM skills but also fostered teamwork, curiosity, and confidence. We are grateful for the funding that made this night possible and look forward to continuing to provide enriching opportunities for all age groups in our community.

One of the teen participants said, “It was cool and interesting.” Aizlyn, age 13. “It was fun! Building the robots was easier than I thought. I would do it again.” Alainah, age 18.

“Programs like this are incredibly valuable because they give teens a chance to explore STEM in a fun, hands-on way.” – Marcus, instructor.

AFA416 desires to continue support as possible to the Hughes Springs Library and appreciates their being a Community Partner. Plans for future events and support are in work.

Links to photos and videos of the event are posted in Facebook, Hughes Springs Library.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BXJfxEBbi/

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1BndEqFe6f/

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16Gjwz32Vh/

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1EBiG8L7aa/

Special thanks to Shannon Perez, Librarian Director, for her inspiration and efforts.

Partnering can prove to be enlightening. See published article.

Lone Oak, TX

Tango Flight. The Lone Oak superintendent identified the idea of ‘building an airplane’ to expose her students to the vast number of aviation related industries in their area. The Tango Flight (https://www.tangoflight.org/) program requires support from the community to fund and provide mentors from industry. Chapter 416 stepped up and was the 1st ‘First Founder’ of the effort.

The chapter has also provided a welding machine for use by students in other endeavors. Identification of needs that can improve our youth and promote positive community interaction and benefits is a key to national strength.

Rockwall, TX

Gene Burton College & Career Academy (GBCCA). Rockwall schools have a robotics/drone team and support CyberPatriot teams for the. The robotics lead has been a chapter ‘teacher of they year’ and the robotics team provides annual support to the chapter Golf Thing event.

Teacher Lesley Reese presented on the GBCCA robotics and cyberpatiot programs at the Northeast Texas Chapter 416, Air & Space Forces Association, March 29, 2025 Spring Thing Recognition & Inspire event. (Reese Presentation)

Simms, TX

In 2024, a teacher at Simms, TX, Jim Bowie High School, used an AFA national grant and Civil Air Patrol (CAP) educational products to fund and carry out a rocket and drone effort associated with stellar education programs in her class. This triggered notification to chapter leadership and efforts are underway to increase support to enhance the educational abilities in the classroom. This exemplifies how AFA national chapters, and our Air Force Auxiliary, CAP, are tied together to positively impact or youth and communities. We look forward to more in the Simms, TX area.

These programs were so successful that teacher, Mrs. Dana O’Neal, is now the 2025, Northeast Texas Chapter 416, Teacher of the Year. See her presentation at our Spring Thing Recognition & Inspire event held March 29, 2025 here (Oneal Video). Read more about O’Neal and her programs on our Teacher of the Year page on the Grants & Scholarships page.

O’Neal is used AFA’s StellarXplorer program in 2024-2025 and is looking to use it and AFA’s CyberPatriot program in 2025-2026.

Sulphur Springs, TX

The chapter Essay Contest has had numerous entries and scholarship recipients from the high school. In 2023, two teams participated in CyberPatriot and we hope this continues.

Girls Recognizing Own Worth (GROW), at the elementary school for 4th & 5th grades, focuses on providing increased visibility to STEM activities and professional opportunities for women. The chapter provides funding through the Helm Hotel Group courtesy of Charles & Sharon Helm.