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CAP Cadet Receives National Award

Group photo of Award presentation
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Randy Ferguson, Tom Nichols, C/TSgt Charlie Floyd and Ken Smith at the WRAL Awards presentation. PHOTO CREDIT: Wendy Floyd (click image to view full size)
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Franklin County Comp Squadron Cadet wins AMVETS Essay Contest

11/8/2016––C/TSgt Charlie Floyd of the Franklin County Composite Squadron won a national level award for the American Veterans (AMVETS) Americanism Essay Contest. She wrote the essay in March and entitled it, "What does Flag protection mean to me." She wrote the article from the point of view of a CAP Color Guard Member and Color Guard Commander. She placed 1st in North Carolina for 7th graders and 3rd in the Nation for 7th graders.

She was presented her National award at the WRAL Raleigh studios. Ken Smith was the host at the studio for the award.
 
After giving Charlie her award, Randy Ferguson said, "Wow, this girl knows how to receive an award!"
 
Charlie had this to say about getting the award, "It is pretty good. I thought it was awesome to be considered for the State level awards but then I found out just before July 4, where my Color Guard unit carried the Flags for the AMVETS July 4 parade that I'd won First Place for the State level for 7th graders. I was then automatically entered into the national level contest. To find out that I was chosen, even though it's 3rd place, was surprising and made me feel really good." When asked if she plans to enter an essay in the contest this year she replied, "Of course! I did not think I'd get past the regional level and look what happened!"
 
Charlie was asked about any scholarship or cash award. She stated, "There were cash awards at both levels! I was presented with a $150 check from the state level AMVETS Americanism judges for the first place win. That went into my savings account. I was given a $100 prepaid MasterCard debit card for the national level award for my third place win. That will be spent on some things that I want for myself."
 
Charlie has some advice she would like to give other cadets and even senior members. "Well, you can't accomplish anything if you don't put yourself out there. Writing that essay at that moment was not what I wanted to do, but mom said "you can't win if you don't enter." So I took a chance. Always be willing to step outside your comfort zone. You'll never know what you can achieve if you don't."