Chapter Activities

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

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.

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.

On June 17, 2025, Bill Yucuis attended the MacDill AFB CCAF Graduation and presented the Pitsenbarger Scholarship Award to SSgt. Kiara Smith, shown to the right.

Last school year, 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.

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

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

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. 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 an Outstanding Professional Award and provide a free 1-year eMembership in AFA.

Mission: “Develop citizens of character dedicated to serving their nation and community.”

Purpose: Instill in students the value of citizenship, service to the United States, personal responsibility, character, and a sense of accomplishment. To make the greatest positive impact in the lives of our cadets as possible. This is perfectly encapsulated in our motto: “Building Better Citizens for America.”

CAP Mission/Vision Statement
Volunteers Serving America’s Communities, Saving Lives, and Shaping Futures

CAP Core Values
Integrity, Volunteer Service, Excellence, and Respect.

Aerospace Connections in Education (ACE) is Civil Air Patrol’s grade-specific K-6 STEM program. You can find information about the program at https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/programs/aerospace-education/programs/ace. 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. The Waterman-Twining AFA Chapter has supported the Florida College Academy (FCA) by helping to purchase ACE T-shirts for FCA students.

The Florida College Academy was the site selected by CAP to hold their National ACE Liftoff Event. The Florida College Academy was chosen for the event because it was named the ACE School of the Year, plus Ms. Jeri Martin was named the ACE Coordinator of the Year, Mrs. Edie Dorrell was named the ACE Teacher of the Year, and Ben Chilcote was named the ACE Student of the Year. These individuals are all from FCA.

The Hillsborough County Public School District held a K-12 STEM Leadership Mini-Conference on June 3. Attendees not only included STEM teachers, but also K-12 math and science leads, among others. The conference was attended by 325 district educators. The conference began with Nate Davis as the Keynote Speaker, who is a former Assistant Superintendent and Principal, and is currently a Leadership Executive at Apple. He talked about how to use STEM projects and activities to develop students with skills required for the future, such as creative problem-solving, analytical thinking, design, and collaboration. Attendees then got to choose from over 80 presentations given in four breakout sessions. Bill Yucuis, from the Waterman-Twining Chapter, gave a presentation at three of the breakout sessions where he talked about the AFA STEM programs of StellarXplorers and CyberPatriot, and CAP STEM resources, such as their ACE program. He emphasized how these STEM activities prepare students for the skills mentioned by Nate Davis. A special thanks goes to Susan Mallett, who provided CAP briefing slides and ACE handouts for the attendees. 18 educators, ranging from Kindergarten through High School, attended the presentation. These educator leaders will spread the word throughout the district about the importance of STEM and how AFA and CAP STEM programs and projects can be used to enhance classroom instruction.

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.

Bill Yucuis presenting Chapter check to Brainard Harris (STEM Coordinator) and Baretta Wilson (Principal)

Chapter members have also volunteered to participate in Teach-In Day, where local professionals talk to students about their experiences.

On August 11, 2025, 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.

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.

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.

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.

2025 TOY: Luisa Jeske, Stewart Middle School

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