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Leadership Skills Set Air Patrol Cadet Apart

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By DIANE LOEBEL, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 15, 2007

WHO: Jared Shari

CLAIM TO FAME: Named Civil Air Patrol Cadet of the Year by the John C. Meyer Chapter of the Air Force Association.

ACCOLADES: 'Jared assumed command and took over the leadership of the local unit, molding it the way he wanted it to be,' said Capt. Lee Cooper, commander of the Pasco County Cadet Squadron.

ABOUT CAP: The Civil Air Patrol was founded Dec. 1, 1941. During World War II, its principal purpose was to allow private pilots and aviation enthusiasts to use their light aircraft and flying skills in civil defense efforts.

In 1943, the organization came under control of the Army Air Forces. In 1947, the Air Force became a separate military branch and CAP was made its auxiliary, according to Dennis Foley, president of the John C. Meyer Chapter.

The Civil Air Patrol performs three main functions: emergency services, aerospace education and cadet training.

Go to www.cap.gov and to www.afa.org for information. To contact the Pasco squadron, call (727) 243-6615 or e-mail Lee@coopernet.us.

ABOUT JARED: The 18-year-old New Port Richey native has been a member of CAP since March 2004. He is home-schooled and will graduate this year through Victory Christian School in Trenton.

He works for Balanced Air, the air-conditioning and heating business owned by his parents, Gary and Sue Shari. Jared's brother, Ben, attends Southeastern University in Lakeland; their sister, Danae Snitko, lives in Port Richey.

In addition to being cadet squadron commander, Jared is the Cadet Advisory Council chairman for Group 8, headquartered in Clearwater. The leaders gather regularly to discuss what their squadrons are doing and how they can improve their efforts.

The Pasco squadron has 16 or 17 members ages 12 to 18 and meets weekly at the Salvation Army West Pasco Corps Complex, 7745 Ridge Road, Port Richey.

Jared will be on a team forming a CAP honor guard that will participate in veterans' funerals, and a color guard for events such as Veterans Day and Memorial Day.

WHAT'S NEXT: Jared plans to study criminal justice at Southeastern University and join the ROTC there.

HIS PARTING QUOTE: 'The Civil Air Patrol is a good learning experience. It teaches leadership, responsibility and teamwork.'

Want to suggest an Everyday Hero? Contact Diane Loebel at (727) 815-1081 or e-mail dloebel@tampatrib.com.

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