Teen enjoys helping others through CAP cadet program

Tromping through weeds in search of missing persons might not appeal to the average teen girl, but Lana Lawrence ranks well above average. The 14-year-old Coeur d’Alene High School freshman spent more than 800 hours last year learning to survive in the woods and search for downed planes. Her outstanding participation in the Civil Air Patrol cadet program earned her the title of Warrior Cadet of the Year in a recent awards ceremony.

Lana initially joined the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary program because of a deep interest in the military. She liked hearing her father’s stories about the service and rated watching war movies among her favorite pastimes. She was surprised to find that there was more to the cadet program than military drills and discipline. It is also provides her with an opportunity to save lives.

“It was a lot better than I thought it would be,” she said.

The Civil Air Patrol performs 95 percent of the nation’s inland air search and rescue missions and averages 100 saved lives each year. Its cadet program for youths 12 to 18 provides aerospace education, leadership training and scholarship opportunities.

A few other girls joined with Lana last winter, yet she was the only recruit to stick with the Hayden-based squadron, which consists of about 20 teen volunteers. She’s presently the sole female cadet.

In the past year she’s learned how the Federal Emergency Management Agency works, toured a submarine and led military drills. She’s attended weeklong encampments to practice search and wilderness skills, such as building shelters and sending signals to airplanes. Although Lana has yet to go on an actual search mission, she has nearly completed the requirements that allow her to do so.

“I think that would be really fun, to know that you helped someone,” she said.

She devotes one weekend a month to an Emergency Service Training Academy in Washington to earn the qualifications for rescues. While waiting for her chance to search, Lana is quick to sign up for other service opportunities that arise through the program, including watching for injured runners in local races and serving meals at the Elks Lodge. She enjoys the physical challenges that are part of the cadet program. Performing as many sit-ups and push-ups as she can in a minute appeals to her athletic side.

“That’s partly my motivation to go,” she said. “It pushes you a little bit. I’m very competitive.”

Her backstroke and butterfly brought her to state swimming competitions her first year in her school’s swim club, and she is a top runner in her flight group. Her 17-year-old cadet commander, Aram Hatfield, vouches for her speed and fitness.

“She’s one of the best runners I’ve seen,” he said. “She completely beats me all the time.”

Hatfield has been with the program for six years and believes Lana has taken the program to heart and tries to do the best she can. She accepts leadership duties, organizes projects and excels in her hours of commitment to the group.

“She goes on nearly every activity we have,” he said.

Lana remains uncertain whether she’ll pursue a military career but believes that her lessons from Civil Air Patrol will help in whatever she pursues.

“I think I’m probably more mature,” she said. “I’m more confident about things I do. It taught me that I’m not really a quitter like I thought I was.”

Lana’s ambition brought her three promotions in a single year and the title of flight sergeant for her cadet squadron. She ranked second in recruitment efforts for the year and was responsible for getting her father to join the organization as well. Lt. Douglas Lawrence now teaches aerospace education to cadets and is impressed by his daughter’s accomplishments.

“I’m really proud of her,” he said. “I think she’s done really well.”

For more information on the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program, call 772-2531.