Local nine-year-old girl becomes AFA cadet for a day

A nine-year-old from Colorado Springs became the Air Force Academy’s newest cadet Friday.

Lila Nargi was welcomed into the Cadet Wing Friday through the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Academy’s Cadet for a Day program.

As a Cadet for a Day, Lila started the day with several older Academy cadets, for a visit to the Air Force Academy’s airfield to tour the air traffic control tower and aircraft hangars, and then try her hands at virtual airmanship in one of the Academy’s flight simulators.

Lila’s day also includes a Chemistry Magic Show, lunch with her adoptive squadron during Noon Meal Formation, a visit to the Academy’s sprawling equestrian center for a horseback ride, and then a movie.

The Cadet for a Day program started in 2000. Through the Make-A-Wish Foundation and cadet monetary donations, the program provides young people facing severe medical challenges with the opportunity to experience life as a cadet.