Leeza Wayne, an incoming Senior at Monte Vista Christian School in Watsonville, will be traveling to Hong Kong as part of an International Exchange of Sea Cadets from around the world.
The US Naval Sea Cadet has met the stringent application requirements and is one of only two cadets selected to represent the United States at the Hong Kong International Exchange that starts at the end of July and lasts for nine days. The International Exchange Program is the pinnacle of Sea Cadet training, with spaces being offered only to the most outstanding candidates.
When the Sea Cadet Petty Officer Second Class first was introduced to the Sea Cadets it was to help support her brother who wanted to be a Navy SEAL and joined the program to begin preparing. Once she found out about the program, she was excited about the opportunities the Sea Cadets had to offer her.
As a member of the Chesty Puller Battalion, PO2 Wayne was selected as the Cadet of the Year, earning the Citation Ribbon that enabled her to qualify for the International Exchange program. The 17 year old loves to travel internationally and this program was a goal for her ever since she first heard about it.
Interestingly, this cadet and the other cadet who is from Michigan met while attending Sea Cadet SCUBA training in the Florida Keys where they became friends. Both friends applied to represent the US without knowing the other applied. LT Todd Dunn, a Sea Cadet officer from Florida, will escort them. Nearly all the expenses of travel will be covered for them. They will be part of an international training group of cadets from the US, United Kingdom, Sweden, Canada, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, and Hong Kong. Not only will there be nautical training and teamwork development, but also cultural introductions to Hong Kong.
Kate McIlvaine, Director of Strategic Outreach at USNSCC’s headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, says, “We are very proud of Ms. Wayne’s selection for the Hong Kong International Exchange and her representing the US and the US Naval Sea Cadet Corps. We wish her success in her future endeavors.”