Chapter Activities
Scroll down to see details about the following Waterman- Twining Chapter activities. You can also find details about recent Chapter events under the Latest News Tab
- Advocacy
- Tampa Chamber of Commerce
- Tampa Bay Defense Alliance (TBDA)
- MacDill Spouse and Families Activities
- AFA’s United Forces and Families (F2) Program
- MacDill Family Readiness Center
- Blue Star Families events
- Family in Flight
- MacDill AFB Activities
- Pitsenbarger Awards
- Tinker K8 School
- MacDill STEM Day
- First Term Enlisted Course (FTEC) – formerly FTAC
- Air Force Reserved Officers Corps (AFROTC) Support
- Air Force Junior Reserved Officers Corps (AFJROTC) Support
- Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Support
- AFA STEM Education Support
- Stewart Middle School
- Hillsborough STEM Outreach – August 2025
- StellarXplorers
- CyberPatriot
- AFA Chapter Teacher of the Year
Advocacy Mission
Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce
The Chapter is a member of the Tampa Chamber of Commerce. Emily Farkas is a member of their Military Affairs Committee (MAC) and Policy Advisory Committee (PAC). As a member of the PAC, Emily has advocated this past year for “increase pay for lower tier enlisted grades”, which is one of AFA’s national goals, as a top item for the Tampa Chamber of Commerce for 2025
Tampa Bay Defense Alliance
The Chapter is a member of the Tampa Bay Defense Alliance (TBDA). We attend their monthly meetings to provide insight into the AFA goals and associated activities in the Tampa area.
Find out more about TBDA initiatives at https://tampabaydefensealliance.net/
MacDill Spouse and Families Activities
AFA’s United Forces and Families (F2) Program
The Waterman-Twining Chapter works to support the airmen, guardians, and their families assigned to MacDill AFB. One way to do this is by supporting the AFA’s United Forces and Families (F2) Program. You can find details at https://www.afa.org/F2/. One of the best resources is ENGAGE, a publication series which combines expert-driven articles, in-depth analysis, and real-life stories, ENGAGE is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for our forces by offering actionable insights and fostering a strong sense of community. You can find the publications at https://www.afa.org/f2/engage/.
MacDill Family Readiness Center
In November 2024, Bill Yucuis met at the MacDill Family Resource Center (FRC) and discussed how the Chapter could support their efforts. The Chapter has been attending the MacDill Newcomers Briefing and we have a table to showcase how the Waterman-Twining Chapter supports base families. In addition, we have supported a new FRC initiative to host monthly spouse gatherings. Bill Yucuis and Emily Farkas attended their first-of-its-kind military spouses’ event at MacDill AFB on Thursday, December 12 from 6:30 – 8:00 PM. Our Chapter provided food and door prizes. Bill and Emily were able to talk with the spouses about the AFA’s United Forces and Families (F2) program, including having a handout about the new Engage publication. We will continue to support them in the future.
Blue Star Families
The Waterman-Twining Chapter is proud to partner with the Blue Star Families organization. Blue Star Families was founded by military family members in 2009 to empower these families to thrive as they serve. We’re committed to strengthening military families by connecting them with their neighbors – individuals and organizations – to create vibrant communities of mutual support. We believe we’re all stronger when we take care of one another. Our Chapter volunteers at several events throughout the year. You will find information about upcoming events under the Events Tab of our Website.
Recent Events
December 18, 2024: Stars and Stripes and Holiday Wishes – Nourish the Service Event, at MacDill AFB
April 9, 2025: Provide food, household items, and children’s toys at MacDill AFB
August 2, 2025: Support MacDill Back to School resource Fair and School Supply Giveaway
Upcoming Events
November 9- Salute To Play- Glazer Children’s Museum
November 19th- Harvest To Happiness Nourish The Service- MacDill AFB Thanksgiving drive
December 16 and 17th- Stars Stripes Holiday Wishes Nourish The Service MacDill AFB Christmas drive
Family in Flight
The Waterman-Twining Chapter has partnered with the Family in Flight nonprofit. Their mission is simple—but powerful: to support military spouses and families navigating the challenges of living apart due to military service. They offer travel grants to help cover the cost of flights, gas, train, or bus tickets—bringing families back together, even if just for a short time, and easing the financial burden that often comes with separation. But we’re more than just financial assistance. They’re a community, a resource hub, and a place for connection and support. From monthly virtual support groups to helpful tools and shared stories, we’re here to remind military families: you’re not alone. Our Chapter will work together to let military families know about their organization and if able, cohost events.
MacDill AFB Activities
Pitsenbarger Awards
The Chapter also supports AFA’s STEM Education mission on MacDill AFB. The Chapter presents the Pitsenbarger Award to the top graduate(s) of the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF). There are two graduations per year, but MacDill typically only holds one graduation ceremony per year. the Spring top graduate, SSgt Alex Montero from Fuels, was deployed when they held the graduation ceremony. So, on December 16, 2024, Bill Yucuis presented the Pitsenbarger Award to Alex at the base Education Office. At the same time, he presented the Pitsenbarger Award to TSgt Miranda Aragon from the Security Police, who was the top Fall graduate. The Wing plans to also honor them at the next Quarterly Awards ceremony.
Tinker K8 School: Located on MacDill AFB
Bill Yucuis and Emily Farkas met with Cassie Smaller, the Principal at the Tinker K8 School, which is located on MacDill. We talked about how to incorporate AFA STEM Programs into school programs in the future.
MacDill STEM Day
MacDill STEM Day Poster
Every year, MacDill AFB hosts a STEM Day Extravaganza, designed to ignite curiosity, spark creativity, and inspire the next generation of innovators, scientists, and engineers. This exclusive event will host 2,000 students in grades 6–12 (ages 12–18) for an unforgettable exploration of STEM career fields through interactive learning experiences. Students from the local community can visit the base and be introduced to STEM activities.
You can find out details at https://www.macdill.af.mil/STEM/%5Bnextlink%5D/STEAM/igphoto/2002099542/STEAM/igphoto/2002099368/STEAM/igphoto/2002099368/STEAM/igphoto/2002099542/
Our Chapter has been approved to participate in MacDill Air Force Base STEM Day, scheduled for Oct. 31, 2025 at MacDill AFB. We plan to showcase AFA STEM programs, such as StellarXplorers and CyberPatriot. Look for details in the Latest News section of the Website in November.
First Term Enlisted Course (FTEC, formerly FTAC)
TSgt Brad Cruz, FTEC instructor
FTEC was previously called the First Term Airman Course (FTAC), which the Waterman-Twining Chapter has supported for several years. Essentially it was changed to potentially include enlisted members from other services who have MacDill AFB, which has joint forces at both CENTCOM and SOCOM, as their first operational assignment.
The course is supervised by SMSgt Lauren Marcus, with TSgt. Sgt. Brad Cruz as the primary instructor. During the week-long course, students are introduced to all aspects of support on MacDill AFB.
The Chapter is invited to talk about how AFA supports MacDill AFB airmen and families. The Chapter presents and Outstanding Professional Award and provide a free 1-year eMembership in AFA.
USF Air Force Reserved Officers Corps (AFROTC) Support
Waterman-Twining Chapter Goals for USF AFROTC Support: Provide premier Professional Development opportunities and support cadets at USF AFROTC, particularly the Arnold Air Society cadets.
- Arnold Air Society (AAS) Support: AAS cadets are members of AFA and our Chapter.
- Emily Farkas and Bill Yucuis meet with AAS staff and attend unit meetings
- Chapter provides financial support for AAS cadets to attend the AAS Regional and National AAS Conferences
- Free Professional Development opportunities from AFA National
- AFA Daily Report: Provided Monday through Friday (except holidays)
- Mitchell Institute: Only aerospace power-focused think tank in DC
Air Force Junior Reserved Officers Corps (AFJROTC) Support
AFJROTC Mission: “Develop citizens of character dedicated to serving their nation and community.”
The Waterman – Twining Chapter has eleven high school AFJROTC units within our Chapter area: Durant, Bloomingdale, Middleton, Blake, H.B. Plant, Jefferson, Sickles, River Ridge, Springstead, St. Petersburg, and Hernando. Our goal is to support the efforts of AFJROTC units to produce citizens of character.
As a minimum, we try to have a Chapter member at each AFJROTC unit’s Awards Ceremony and present the AFA AFJROTC Cadet of the Year Award. Contact Teri Weide, the Chapter VP for Education at fl316.waterman.vp-ed@afa.org if you are interested in presenting these awards.
Civil Air Patrol Support
CAP Mission/Vision Statement
Volunteers Serving America’s Communities, Saving Lives, and Shaping Futures
CAP Core Values
Integrity, Volunteer Service, Excellence, and Respect.
Chapter CAP Involvement: The Waterman-Twining Chapter is available to present AFA’s CAP Outstanding Squadron Cadet of the Year Award, when requested by our Chapter. The Chapter will also work with CAP squadron’s Aerospace Education officers to support CAP and AFA STEM Programs.
On January 11, 2025, Bill Yucuis attended the Clearwater CAP Gala and Awards Ceremony and presented the CAP Cadet of the Year Award.
CAP Cadet of the Year Award
On March 13, 2025, Bill Yucuis visited the Clearwater CAP unit meeting to give a presentation about AFA STEM Programs, including StellarXplorers and CyberPatriot.
AFA STEM Education Support
Stewart Middle School Support
Stewart Middle Magnet School is located near Downtown Tampa’s Riverwalk and is a nationally recognized NASA Explorer School with a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).
Through the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) curriculum, students choose from unique Electives like Aerospace and Engineering. Scholar Quest options lead to high school credit in Gaming, Robotics and other subjects.
The Waterman-Twining Chapter has supported Stewart for many years. Stewart Middle School has the John Glenn Top Gun Academy, an Honor Society for students with an interest in Aerospace and Aeronautics. To become a member, students must apply and be interviewed. Chapter members have often volunteered to assist in the interview process. Our Chapter also provides financial support, which allows students to take an overnight visit to Kennedy Space Center (KSC) each year.
Chapter members have also volunteered to participate in Teach-In Day, where local professionals talk to students about their experiences.
Hillsborough STEM Outreach – August 2025
One of AFA’s primary missions is “Educate the public on the critical need for unrivaled aerospace power and promote aerospace and STEM education for a technically superior and professional workforce to ensure national security.” Each fall, we reach out to local schools to show how our Chapter can support STEM programs at their schools. Listed below are some of our recent efforts.
MacDill Homeschoolers organization: On July 31, Bill Yucuis met with Jessica Whatley, the MacDill Homeschoolers Coordinator to show how AFA and CAP STEM resources could be used by homeschoolers. Bill then gave two virtual presentations on August 14. showcasing these resources. He also became a member of their FB page
MacDill Homeschoolers FB Page
Morgan HS Front entrance
Hillsborough County Public Schools: Bill Yucuis has reached out to several schools, specifically to talk about AFA STEM programs, especially the two national STEM Competitions of StellarXplorers and CyberPatriot. On August 11, Bill Yucuis met with Jonathon Richman who is the school’s STEM coordinator and Physics teacher at Morgan High School in Wimauma. Morgan is a brand-new school which just opened.
Florida College Academy (FCA): On August 12, Bill Yucuis met with Jeri Martin from the Florida College Academy (FCA), which is located in Temple Terrace. Jeri is an AFA life member, although with the Eglin Chapter because her full-time home is in Fort Walton Beach, and Bill has known her for many years. She is an FCA graduate and is currently the FCA Curriculum Director. FCA is very active with the CAP Aerospace Connections in Space (ACE) Program. They were selected as the Outstanding ACE Program for last year and CAP is holding the national ACE Kick Off event at their school on October 2. When I talk to schools, I always emphasize that ACE is the best STEM program for Elementary schools.
Tinker K-8 school on MacDill AFB: Last school year, Bill Yucuis and Emily Farkas met with Cassie Smaller, the new Principal at Tinker K-8 school, and discussed how to help support her initiatives to increase STEM at tinker during the 2025-2026 school year. Bill Yucuis has talked with Bradley Baldus, the school’s STEM coordinator. They hope to establish a STEM club this year and Bill Yucuis has scheduled to meet him on August 19.
StellarXplorers and CyberPatriot Overview
AFA has two national STEM programs, StellarXplorers and CyberPatriot. The Waterman-Twining Chapter supports both programs and encourages local education organizations to participate.
Chapter Commitment: Bill Yucuis, the Chapter President, is a retired teacher. He was a CyberPatriot coach in Orlando for 6 years and is one of the original founders of StellarXplorers. He is now retired and lives in the Tampa area. He is willing to talk with any teacher (or students), either in person or virtually, about StellarXplorers or CyberPatriot. He is also StellarXplorers Mentor and is willing to help schools get started or compete in StellarXplorers. You can contact Bill Yucuis at fl316.waterman.president@afa.org.
Teacher Involvement and Commitment: Both StellarXplorers and CyberPatriot have similar competition structures, where a teacher supervises a team(s) of 2-6 students, which compete locally in 3-4 rounds, to vie for an all-expense paid trip to the National Finals. Teachers do NOT have to be subject experts. Training for students is available online so the teacher is not the expert, but just needs to provide a location for teams to practice and compete plus ensure they have the correct technology. The only real requirement for students is to be motivated to spend the time learning the program. During each local round, the team picks the time to start the round and then has 6 hours (STLX) or 4 hours (CP) to submit a solution. Rounds typically are from Thursday morning to Sunday night.
StellarXplorers Summary
The StellarXplorers Space STEM Program, created by the Air & Space Forces Association (AFA), inspires K-12 students toward careers in aerospace, aviation, and other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines critical to our nation’s future.
The StellarXplorers National Space Design Competition provides specific training in the use of system simulation software, Systems Tool Kit (STK). The actual competition is accomplished from the team’s home location. Teams are given a scenario describing the system’s mission and constraints and they provide a solution to a typical space design problem, such as orbit determination, satellite component selection, and launch vehicle planning.
Practice Rounds begin in October, and Qualification Rounds begin in November. Performances of teams during the Qualifying Rounds determine which teams advance to the Semi-Finals in February. The top 10 teams from the Semi-Finals receive an all-expense-paid trip to the National Finals.
StellarCamp is a fun space system design camp for 6th through 12th graders. Participants get to learn about aspects of space system design with no prior experience required.
You can find more information about StellarXplorers at https://stellarxplorers.org/
CyberPatriot Summary
CyberPatriot is the National Youth Cyber Education Program created by the Air Force Association to inspire K-12 students toward careers in cybersecurity or other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines critical to our nation’s future.
At the core of the program is the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition, the nation’s largest cyber defense competition that puts high school and middle school students in charge of securing virtual networks.
Other programs include AFA CyberCamps, an elementary school cyber education initiative, a children’s literature series, CyberGenerations –a senior citizen cyber safety initiative, and a Tech Caregivers program designed to encourage cyber-savvy volunteers to give back to their communities.
You can find more information about CyberPatriot at https://www.uscyberpatriot.org/
AFA Chapter Teacher of the Year
STEM teachers shape the future of our nation – introducing students to exciting new concepts and offering a glimpse into what’s possible. The very best educators transform learning into a boundless adventure and prepare their classes to explore new frontiers of technology for the good of us all. Along with grants and scholarships, the Air & Space Forces Association believes that recognizing those who educate America’s youth is an important aspect of what AFA is all about. Every year, AFA’s Teacher of the Year program sponsored by Rolls-Royce proudly honors the commitment and achievements of these extraordinary teachers. Rolls-Royce sponsors the AFA Teacher of the Year program at the Chapter, State and National levels.
The Waterman-Twining Chapter annually awards a Chapter Teacher of the Year (TOY) Award. The Chapter TOY is run by the Chapter VP for Education (fl316.waterman.vp-ed@afa.org). Applications can be found at AFA TOY and can be submitted NLT March of each school year, so we can select the teacher and present before the end of the school year.
Here is a list of recent Chapter teachers of the Year
2025 TOY: Luisa Jeske, Stewart Middle School (nomination packet and photos to be added later)
2024 TOY: Susan J. “Janell” Cunningham, Stewart Middle School
2023 TOY: Natalie Fischer, Stewart Middle School
2022 TOY: Julian Rivera, Stewart Middle School
2021 TOY: Dr. Darcy Favata, Stewart Middle School
2020 TOY: Brainard Harris, Stewart Middle School