Welcome to the Air Force Academy Parents Association of New Jersey website
The Air Force Academy Parents Association of New Jersey (AFAPANJ) supports cadets while they prepare to join the Long Blue Line, and the cadets' parents and families as we commit to encouraging each other through the unique Air Force Academy experience.
The Air Force Academy Parents Association of New Jersey is recognized by the Air Force Academy with official lines of communications to and from the USAFA Parents Club Liaison, who communicates to the elected president. This information is securely disseminated to all current members.
AFAPANJ membership provides benefits for both member families and cadets. These benefits include events for both cadets and member families, and access to information directly from the Air Force Academy Parent Liaison. For further information regarding benefits and membership costs, please contact Treasurer - Preeti Ponnada (AFAPANJTreasurer@gmail.com).
AFAPANJ Board Members
Officers (and Directors)
President - Wendy Tilp afapanjpresident@gmail.com
Vice President - Bonnie Graziano afapanjinfo@gmail.com
Treasurer - Preeti Ponnada
Co Treasurer - Ramesh Ponnada
Secretary - Pam Beswick
Directors (Class Year Representatives)
2025 representative - Wendy Tilp
2026 representative - Anthony Picione
2027 representative - Bonnie Graziano
2028 representative - Elizabeth Szumigala
Committee Chairs
Membership Committee - Lisa Barnett, Fran LaCouture, Preeti Ponnada
Social Committee (Taste of Home Event) - Laura Miani
Candy Caper Committee - Preeti Ponnada, Laura Miana, Bonnie Graziano
Website Committee - Webmaster Renny Shih, Bonnie Graziano
Upcoming Events
Falcon Fest:
Welcome Luncheon / Info Session for Incoming Cadets and your families (the new Class of 2029!)
Saturday, June 14th
Calvary Chapel Cafe
123 White Oak Lane, Old Bridge, NJ
1:00 - 4:00
Email afapanjinfo@gmail.com if any questions.
Important links & Social Media groups:
Volunteer Positions
AFAPANJ is an All-Volunteer organization. Everyone is welcome to take an active role in AFAPANJ to support our cadets and help each other. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact AFAPANJ afapanjinfo@gmail.com. Below are some of our activities and other benefits we provide.
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Fall “Candy Caper” (Care Package Hand-out) - each NJ cadet responding “yes” to our email survey receives a Goody-Bag and a Box Dinner!
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Spring “Candy Caper” (Care Package Hand-out) - same as above but in the Spring
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Falcon Fest – an informational summer luncheon prior to “I” day for the new incoming New Jersey Cadets and their families as well as families of existing cadets. This gathering is a great time to meet one another, hear about the USAFA experience, and perhaps most importantly
provides an opportunity to ask questions. In addition, traditionally a recent New Jersey USAFA graduate gives a special presentation on what it was like to be a cadet for four years and life on the other side of graduation as a commissioned United States Air Force Officer. -
Our “March with Cadets” in virtual support of the cadets marching 6 miles to/from Jack’s Valley in the summer
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Blocks of football tickets to various Air Force football games for purchase
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Members can receive blue “Air Force Academy NJ” name tags laser engraved with your name, cadet’s name and class year + outline of our state.
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Annual ad in the Yearbook with each NJ Cadet's pictures to say Congratulations to our new graduates!
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Official communications from the USAFA Parent Liaisons forwarded as soon as possible to your email and the NJ Parent Messenger Chat Group
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Maintenance of this website for our club https://www.njafapa.org