Chief Petty Officer Ethan Spell of the American Veteran’s Division of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, a junior at the King’s Academy, was recently selected to attend the program’s Senior Leadership Academy in Arlington, Va. Cadets were selected based upon their contributions to their communities, school records, and overall performance and standing in the Sea Cadet program.
“Ethan is well-deserving of this leadership training opportunity with the Sea Cadets, and I am confident that he will represent the King’s Academy with excellence,” said John Raines, one of Spell’s teachers at TKA. “His patriotism, wealth of knowledge of our country’s history and grasp of political issues is remarkable.”
This April, Spell will join 30 of the country’s top Sea Cadets at a week-long program. The attendees will discuss and debate leadership and ethics topics relevant to today’s youth. They will also visit the U.S. Naval Academy, historic sites and museums around Washington, D.C., and will meet with distinguished leaders.
“The 30 Sea Cadets selected to attend SLA 2019 are the most elite cadet group in the country. Between them, they have attended 177 advanced trainings and served as staff cadets at 70 trainings,” said the program’s executive director, retired Navy Capt. Paul Zambernardi. “Now, it’s time for them to join their distinguished peers from around the country to spend a week sharpening their leadership skills and expanding their perspectives.”
Spell has been a member of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps since 2012. During this time, he has attended recruit training and several advanced trainings.
“I’m honored to be selected and hope to represent my unit well,” Spell said. “I have learned so much and have become the person I am today because of the Sea Cadet program.”
