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Cadet candidates celebrate prep school graduation

Preparatory School cadet candidates march in their graduation parade at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo.
Preparatory School cadet candidates march in their graduation parade at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. May 20, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco)

By Katherine Spessa
U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – After completing a 10-month program, 169 cadet candidates graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School in a ceremony held at Arnold Hall here on May 20, 2024.

Attended by senior leaders, proud parents and Academy and prep school faculty, the celebration culminated a school years’ worth of development in leadership, military and physical skills, and college-level academics meant to prepare the cadet candidates for the rigors of the Academy.

The class of 2024 was the prep school’s 64th graduating class. According to Col. Michael Cornelius, commander of the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School, it achieved the second-highest GPA in the past 20 years, missing out on the top spot by only .008 points.

“It’s been approximately 319 days since you all showed up for I-Day at the prep school. During that time, you were met with many personal challenges, both failures and successes,” said Cornelius. “You learned a lot about yourself and grew as an adult, and now, as the Academy’s Class of 2028, you will use everything from this first chapter and apply it to the next.”

Col. Matthew Huseman, U.S. Air Force Academy vice superintendent, speaks to the 2024 U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School graduating class and their guests.
Col. Matthew Huseman, U.S. Air Force Academy vice superintendent, speaks to the 2024 U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School graduating class and their guests during a commencement ceremony held at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. May 20, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco)

As part of the school’s curriculum, student leaders were heavily involved in planning and conducting events designed to build trust and connection as a class and further each student’s development. These activities, such as mentor-led roundtable discussions, honor code lessons, and mentorship with current Academy cadets, fosters leadership and character development among the cadet candidates. This holistic approach to education aims to create well-rounded leaders prepared them for the challenges of the Academy and afterward.

In Airmanship, 208 Cadet Candidates (90 percent of the class) participated in the school’s Early Path to Wings program, experiencing flight through immersive experiences in the new virtual reality simulator lab and with actual hands-on flying through orientation flights and aero club flight training.

Cadet Candidate Keshon Singleton greets a family member after the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School graduation parade held at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo.
Cadet Candidate Keshon Singleton greets a family member after the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School graduation parade held at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. May 20, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco)

The U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School was established in 1961. While cadet candidates are not guaranteed an appointment to the Academy, they earn consideration and a recommendation from the preparatory school commander if they successfully complete the 10-month program. Applicants who apply to the Academy and are not offered an appointment are automatically considered for admission into the Preparatory School. Only enlisted service members may directly apply to the Preparatory School.

One prior-enlisted cadet candidate, now a member of the 2024 Academy graduating class as the top Preparatory School Graduate, spoke to the class, offering them heartfelt congratulations and sage words of advice.

“Some of you put on a uniform for the first time, and some of you put on familiar boots that came from all reaches of the Air Force,” said Cadet 1st Class Zachary Holder. “You fought. You fought through your first late nights under a desk lamp, ground through classes, found weak points in your knowledge and refined the skills that will make you successful at the Academy. You began refining your leadership styles and made friends that will last a lifetime. I congratulate you on the end of a long year with many more ahead of you.”

A U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School cadet candidate shakes hands with the Academy’s Command Chief Master Sgt. Heriberto G.. Diaz Jr.
A U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School cadet candidate shakes hands with the Academy’s Command Chief Master Sgt. Heriberto G.. Diaz Jr. upon her graduation during a ceremony held at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. May 20, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco)

The Class of 2024’s top graduates are as follows:

  • Top English Cadet Candidate: Cadet Candidate Joseph Anderson from Fayetteville, Georgia
  • Top Mathematics Cadet Candidate: Cadet Candidate Kaden Nguyen from Albuquerque, New Mexico
  • Top Science Cadet Candidate: Cadet Candidate Elisha Rhoades from Erie, Pennsylvania
  • Academically Most Improved Cadet Candidate: Cadet Candidate Jahnvi Shah from East Bell, California
  • Top Academic Cadet Candidate: Cadet Candidate Dalton Cox, who previously served at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia
  • Top Physical Fitness Test and Aerobic Fitness Test Male Cadet Candidate: Cadet Candidate Jaydan Douglas from San Antonio, Texas
  • Top Physical Fitness Test and Aerobic Fitness Test Female Cadet Candidate: Cadet Candidate Jacquelyn Galella from West Milford, New Jersey
  • Outstanding Athlete Male Cadet Candidate: Cadet Candidate Keshon Singleton from Springfield, Illinois
  • Outstanding Athlete Female Cadet Candidate: Cadet Candidate Brooke Swanson from Seattle, Washington
  • Outstanding Military Cadet Candidate: Cadet Candidate Jonathan Lupian
  • Outstanding Character Development Cadet Candidate: Cadet Candidate Joseph Anderson from Fayetteville, Georgia
  • Ashford Overall Outstanding Cadet Candidate: Cadet Candidate Elisha Rhoades from Erie, Pennsylvania

For more photos from the graduation ceremony and parade, visit USAFA Preparatory School Graduation | Flickr and USAFA Preparatory School Graduation Parade | Flickr.