Earlier this month, the Overlake Composite Squadron Civil Air Patrol (CAP) cadet squadron took home the state color guard championship honors in a two-day competition at Camp Murray near Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

The CAP color guard, based in Redmond, will compete for Pacific Region honors back at Camp Murray April 28-29. For two days, teams of six cadets aged 12-18 will be tested on their uniform preparation, standard and innovative drill maneuvers, presentation of the nation’s colors indoors and outdoors, knowledge of aerospace topics in both written and panel quizzes and physical fitness, including a timed mile run.

Overlake placed first in each of the seven events at state.

The winning color guard team included color guard commander Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Moritz Wienke, Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Max Wienke, Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Matthew Skelton, Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Tyler Furnish, Cadet Staff Sgt. Merrick Kruml and Cadet Airman 1st Class Joanna Aponte.

The color guard team’s advisers are: Cadet Capt. Kelly Walls, squadron Deputy Cmdr. Capt. John Hughes, and senior member Andreas Wienke.

“We are thrilled to see our color guard take home this year’s honors,” said Capt. Mike Holliday, commander of CAP. “These young men and women devote countless hours to develop the cadence, timing and maneuvers of their drill and then donate their time and effort to honor our country, our flag and the men and women of our military in many events around our community. These cadets are an amazingly dedicated unit.”

Overlake’s color guard unit has been called on to present the colors at numerous activities and ceremonies around the area: Mother’s Day and Father’s Day at Safeco Field, Veterans Day memorial events at the Boeing Museum of Flight honoring a Medal of Honor recipient and the Tuskegee Airmen, the Kirkland Fourth of July parade and opening of the Kirkland Little League season, Bellevue’s Fourth of July fireworks celebration at Bellevue Downtown Park and more than a dozen Veterans Day school events.

Now in its 17th year, Overlake CAP emphasizes the cadet programs mission of CAP, training and mentoring leaders, effective team players and selfless citizens. The squadron of 80 cadets and 20 adults has received numerous state and regional awards. The drill squad has been the state champion five times. Four times the unit has won the Pacific region drill competition. The squadron received CAP’s Quality Cadet Unit Award in 2011 for its national service.

Ten Overlake cadets have gone on to officer training at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Naval Academy, Military Academy (West Point) or Merchant Marine Academy or have received their commission through AFROTC service.

The Overlake Composite refers to a unit made up of both cadets and adults. The Squadron meets every Tuesday evening from 6:45-9 p.m. at the Lake Washington School District Resource Center in Redmond Town Center. For more information, visit www.overlakecap.org or www.facebook.com/overlakesquadron.