Our Purpose
The purpose of the USAFA Arizona Parents Club is to:
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promote a better understanding of USAFA among members and non-members
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form a strong link of friendship and camaraderie between the parents of cadets, past, present, and future, through social relationships on matters of common interest to members
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assist parents of cadets and candidates when assistance is needed or requested
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assist USAFA Admission Liaison Officers (ALOs) in disseminating information
What We Do
Notes of Encouragement and Care Packages
Four times a year, the AZ Parents Club meets to write notes of encouragement to our cadets. We also assemble care packages of their favorite goodies during two of those meetings. Our meetings are a great time for us to socialize, encourage one another, and share updates about our cadets!
Doolie Dinner
This annual event is hosted by the Arizona Parents Club several weeks before In-Processing Day (I-Day) to honor new Arizona USAFA appointees and Prep School cadet candidates. Parents Club members and cadets are available throughout the evening to answer questions. The formal program includes a catered dinner, a guest speaker, and an informative panel of parents and cadets eager to field parent and appointee/cadet candidate questions.
Arizona All Academies Ball
The grandest event of the year! The Arizona All Academies Ball is the only event where our future officers from Arizona will meet all together across all five U.S. Service Academies as they prepare for their careers in the armed forces. This event recognizes these young leaders from Arizona by hosting an elegant and formal evening steeped in military traditions, featuring a keynote speaker, dinner, dancing, and other entertainment. The evening also serves as a farewell to those cadets and midshipmen who will receive their commissions the following May as they continue to serve our country as officers. Additionally, it gives our community partners an opportunity to see first-hand the pride and traditions instilled in these future leaders. USAFA AZ Parents Club hosts every three years, but all Arizona USAFA cadets, families, and guests are invited to attend each year.
Class Crest Blankets
Every year each class designs its own class crest based on the USAFA tradition since 1959!
Requirements for each crest include all the elements on the Class of 1959's crest: the class number, the class year, the Polaris star, and the eagle. The “Made in America” blanket is an outstanding gift for graduation, sponsor families and family members! Proceeds from the sale help the Arizona Parents Club support Arizona cadets. We appreciate your support!
Who We Are
Nan Stanley - Co-President
Cadet Colorado Stanley, Class of 2027
Nan and her husband, Chris, are proud parents of a Firstie and excited for the year ahead. Since her cadet's Doolie year, Nan has served on the Arizona Parents' Club Board as Class of 2027 Parent Representative, Membership Chair, and Co-Vice President. Nationally, she served as Co-Volunteer Chair for the 2025 USAFA Taste of Home and currently serves as National Secretary for USAFA Taste of Home 2027.Following a successful career in hospitality, Nan now provides strategic human resources leadership at Lost Our Home Pet Rescue. She and Chris have called Arizona home since 2007 and share their home with two dogs, Dakota and Bremer.
Katie Hill - Co-President
Cadet Kelly Hill, Class of 2027
Katie lives with her husband Jeff in northern Arizona where she works from home as a bookkeeper and editor. As her cadet is the youngest of five children Katie has endeavored to stay busy in her empty nest. She is happily involved on the design committee for the Class of 2027 Gold Spirit Association, is the Arizona lead for the 2027 USAFA Taste of Home Southwest region, and serves as the treasurer on the board of directors for several other non-profits.
Colleen Reidhead - Vice-President
Cadet Casey Reidhead, Class of 2028
In addition to her responsibilities with the Arizona Parents Club, Colleen oversees business and clinic operations at a health sciences university. She and her husband, Blake, have called Arizona's East Valley home for more than 25 years, though both are originally from northeastern Arizona.
Their youngest son, Casey, is living out his lifelong dream of attending the United States Air Force Academy as he works toward becoming an Air Force pilot. In their free time, Colleen and Blake enjoy traveling and welcome every opportunity to escape the Arizona heat and explore new destinations together.
Jeannine McDowell - Membership
Cadet Seth McDowell, Class of 2028 -Be Bold Be Great
Welcome to our new 2030 families!
In addition to her new role on the USAFA Arizona Parents Club board, Jeannine works in the office at a local elementary school. While adjusting to having an empty nest, she enjoys traveling to visit her 3 children and taking in the sights of this beautiful country!
Cori Hord - Treasurer
USAFA Cadet Libby Hord, Class of 2027
In addition to this role, Cori serves on the Exec Committee for USAFA Taste of Home 2027. and is a director at an energy services company. She and her husband, Erik, have lived in Arizona for 14 years and have two children at USAFA—Libby, Class of 2027, and Matthew, Class of 2030. In her spare time, she enjoys playing tennis and hiking.
Katy Proctor - Secretary
USAFA Cadet Liam Proctor, Class of 2028
Katy serves as Secretary for the Arizona USAFA Parents Club and is honored to support cadets and their families throughout their Academy journey. Professionally, Katy works in local government, where she advocates for Arizona communities on state and federal policy issues. Outside of work, she coaches and plays ice hockey, enjoys trail running, hiking, and traveling, and loves spending time with her family
