Dylan's wish: Cadet for a Day Published March 19, 2014 By By Staff Sgt. Patrice Clarke Academy Public Affairs U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- The process to become a cadet at the U.S. Air Force Academy is rigorous, but on March 12 a seven-year-old Colorado boy made the cut. Dylan Sachinger became a member of the Cadet Wing through the Make a-Wish Foundation and the Academy's Cadet for a Day program Tuesday. "The day has been a lot of fun for both of us," said Stephanie Sachinger, Dylan's mother. "It really has been great to see him happy and just enjoying everything he's been allowed to do allowed to do today." During the day, Dylan toured the control tower, watched a military working dog demo, attended a chemistry magic show and took a turn in a T-6 flight simulator. He also had the honor of giving more than 4,000 cadets the lunch command to eat at Mitchell Hall. His honorary cadet squadron, Cadet Squadron 5, were involved in Dylan's activities from start to finish. Cadet 2nd Class Bria McClary helped organize her squadron's participation in the event, turning part of the Cadet Area into a real life video game. "We found out he liked Mario [the video game character] so my partner, Cadet 2nd Class Sam Dorminey, decided to make Mario Star coins and put them around the areas he would visit," she said. The cadets made the gold coins, commonly associated with the game, attached squadron and group patches to the coins and distributed them throughout CS-5, the chemistry department and other areas that Dylan would visit. "After a certain number of coins were collected, Dylan could use the coins to buy little prizes like balloons, glow sticks and other things kids would like," McClary said. "At the end of his day, he collects all the coins that lead back to the squadron where we will have a Mario tournament." The cadets' efforts did not go unnoticed. "I had fun today and the best part of today was collecting star coins," Dylan said. "I was able to see the police dogs and the planes and I was able to hang out with a bunch of cadets. It was very fun." The experience was one Dylan and his mother said they won't soon forget. "I had been to the Academy before but was never able to see the cadet area," said Stephanie Sachinger. "Everyone has been really nice and really helpful with Dylan and it has made him happy. It really has been great." The Cadet Wing has teamed with the Make-a-Wish Foundation since 2001. Since then, Academy graduates have been involved in the program across the world.