Sophomore Lily Emmond Leads Civil Air Patrol

If you were to ask Lily Emmond how she feels about her time in the Civil Air Patrol, she would likely tell you about how she found her voice in the heart of Washington, D.C. At just 16 years old, this Vestal sophomore is already in charge of her local squadron at the Greater Binghamton Airport. It is a massive responsibility, but Lily handles it with a level of professionalism that she has been cultivating since she first joined the program at the age of twelve.
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Lily originally got involved because of her father’s interest in the organization. While the Civil Air Patrol is a nonprofit not officially associated with schools, it has become the defining pillar of her teenage years. The program is built on three main branches: cadet programs, emergency services, and aerospace education. Lily explains that the aerospace side is incredibly hands-on, involving everything from building model rockets to attending specialized classes about space and flight several times a month.
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Even though the program has a military aspect, Lily is quick to point out that you do not have to be interested in the military to join. The core goal is simply to build better leaders and citizens. One of the most intense parts of this journey is “encampment” during the summer. Lily describes it as a boot camp for kids designed to help them transition into capable adults. She even remembers rescheduling her Regents exams and the last day of school to participate, spending seven hours a day out in the sun. It was hard work, but it taught her the discipline and communication manners she carries with her today.
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Recently, Lily’s involvement took her to the nation’s capital for an annual advocacy trip. Representing an organization that relies heavily on volunteers and limited federal funding, Lily met with staff members and federal representatives like Claudia Tenney. She sat down with members of Congress and the Senate to share personal stories about the program. While she felt small in the big city at first, she says that by the end of her meetings, she felt as big as the city itself.
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The Civil Air Patrol has helped Lily step far outside her comfort zone and envision a bright future for herself. Whether she is volunteering at Spiedie Fest or diving into cybersecurity training, she is always picking up new skills. Looking ahead, Lily has big ambitions: becoming a psychologist or a politician, and joining the Air Force. Her advice to others is to recognize the professional opportunities available within the program, regardless of your specific interests. For Lily, the experience has helped her find the confidence to lead.