Cadets honored at ’24 graduation awards
Cadet 1st Class Brett Castro receives the Outstanding Group 2023-24 Award during the 2024 Graduation Awards Ceremony in Clune Arena May 28, 2024. Also pictured are U.S. Air Force Academy Commandant of Cadets Brig. Gen. Gavin Marks, left; Superintendent Lt. Gen. Richard Clark; Mark Hille, president and chief operating officer of the U.S. Air Force Academy Foundation and Association of Graduates; and Group 4 Air Officer Commanding Col. Brainin Klausman. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco)
By Randy Roughton
U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – More than 85 senior U.S. Air Force Academy cadets were recognized during the 2024 Graduation Awards Ceremony at Clune Arena May 28. The ceremony recognizes cadets who excel in academics, athletics and leadership.
Military awards honor the highest standards of leadership, character development and military scholarship. Academic awards reward outstanding achievement in the four academic divisions. Athletic awards are presented to cadets who demonstrate superior athletic achievement and leadership abilities.
“This is an exciting day for us to recognize the superior performances of so many of our cadets,” said Superintendent Lt. Gen. Richard Clark. “I want to thank especially the parents, family members and sponsors for helping them to get where they are today.”
The Outstanding Cadet Performer trophy is pictured at the 2024 Graduation Awards Ceremony in Clune Arena May 28, 2024. More than 85 cadets were recognized during the ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco)
Below are the remaining awards to cadets and squadrons
| Academic awards | Recipient |
|---|---|
| The Outstanding Cadet in Aeronautical Engineering Award | Taylor Edwards |
| The Dr. John von Neuman Award for the Outstanding Cadet in Astronautics | Alejandro Posadas Nava |
| The Outstanding Cadet in Behavioral Sciences and Leadership Award | Gabrielle Wilson |
| The Outstanding Cadet in Biology Award | Lindsey Winograd |
| The Outstanding Cadet in Chemistry Award | Madelyn Letendre |
| The Major General Eugene A. Lupia Award for the Outstanding Cadet in Civil Engineering | Evan Haskins |
| The Captain Dean Gonzalez Award for the Outstanding Cadet in Computer Science | Samuel Brennan |
| The Honorable Michael W. Wynne Award for the Outstanding Cadet in Cyber Science | Massimo Brigola |
| The Outstanding Cadet in Data Science Award | Alexandria Griffith |
| The Outstanding Cadet in Economics Award | Grace Sublette |
| The Outstanding Cadet in Electrical and Computer Engineering Award | Payton Rawson |
| The Outstanding Cadet in English Award | Mackenzie Lucas |
| The Outstanding Cadet in Foreign Area Studies Award | Karen Kosinski |
| The Outstanding Cadet in Geospatial Science Award | Shane Choi |
| The General Frank M. Andrews Award for the Outstanding Cadet in History | Doyle Gehring |
| The Outstanding Cadet in Legal Studies Award | Rebecca Wusinich |
| The Colonel Frank T. Birk Award for the Outstanding Cadet in Management | Luke Anderson |
| The Outstanding Cadet in Mathematics Award | Owen Graham |
| The Outstanding Cadet in Mechanical Engineering Award | Brigid Barkmeier |
| The Outstanding Cadet in Meteorology Award | Zachary Holder |
| The Outstanding Cadet in Military and Strategic Studies Award | Patrick Jackson |
| The Brigadier General John M. Andrew Award for the Outstanding Cadet in Operations Research | Luke Robinson |
| The Outstanding Cadet in Philosophy Award | Claudia DiStaso |
| The Major General George O. Squier Award for the Outstanding Cadet in Physics | Blake Eastman |
| The Captain Richard T. Carvolth III Award for the Outstanding Cadet in Political Science | Isobel Dernlan |
| The Outstanding Cadet in Systems Engineering Award | James M. Leland IV |
| The Outstanding Cadet in Basic Sciences Award | Maya Mandyam |
| The Outstanding Cadet in Engineering Award | Regan Hansen |
| The Outstanding Cadet in Humanities Award | Alexander Simmons |
| The Outstanding Cadet in Social Sciences Award | Isobel Dernlan |
| Airmanship awards | Recipient |
|---|---|
| The Outstanding Cadet in Parachuting Award | Corwyn Wipf |
| The Outstanding Cadet in Powered Flight Award | Levi Brodman |
| The Outstanding Flying Team Cadet Award | Jacob James |
| The Outstanding Cadet in Soaring Award | Ayushi Bansal |
| The Colonel Jay B. Harrelson Award for Commitment and Service Celebrating the Outstanding Cadet in Airmanship Award | Kelly Murphy |
| Athletic awards | Recipient |
|---|---|
| The Most Valuable Baseball Player Award | Seungmin Shim |
| The Most Valuable Men’s Basketball Player Award | Ethan Taylor |
| The Most Valuable Women’s Basketball Player Award | Milahnie Perry |
| The Most Valuable Cadet in Men’s Boxing Excellence Award | Victor Benitez |
| The Most Valuable Cadet in Women’s Boxing Excellence Award | Mackenzie Lucas |
| The Most Valuable Men’s Cheerleader Award | Ryan Trevino |
| The Most Valuable Women’s Cheerleader Award | Ella Furlong |
| The Most Valuable Men’s Cross-Country Runner Award | Sean Maison |
| The Most Valuable Women’s Cross-Country Runner Award | Halle Hamilton |
| The Most Valuable Men’s Diver Award
The Most Valuable Women’s Diver Award |
Alexander Kenyon
Kinzie Etzelmiller |
| The Most Valuable Men’s Fencer Award | Jack Griffith |
| The Most Valuable Women’s Fencer Award | Jocelyn Ratzlaff |
| The Most Valuable Football Defensive Player Award | Bohden Richter |
| The Most Valuable Football Lineman or Special Teams Player Award | Phillip Ramsey |
| The Most Valuable Football Offensive Player Award | Thorsen Paglialong |
| The Most Valuable Football Player Award | Trey Taylor |
| The Most Valuable Men’s Golfer Award | Alvaro Fonseca |
| The Most Valuable Men’s Gymnast Award | Oliver Zavel |
| The Most Valuable Women’s Gymnast Award | Maggie Slife |
| The Most Valuable Ice Hockey Player Award | William Gavin |
| The Most Valuable Lacrosse Player Award | Christopher Bardak |
| The Most Valuable Cadet in Marksmanship Award (Rifle) | Morgan Kreb |
| The Most Valuable Men’s Soccer Player Award | Frederico Mion |
| The Most Valuable Women’s Soccer Player Award | Grace Sublette |
| The Most Valuable Men’s Swimmer Award | Thomas Nagle |
| The Most Valuable Women’s Swimmer Award | Alexandra Clark |
| The Most Valuable Men’s Tennis Player Award | Arjun Kersten |
| The Carole Gilchrist Bassett Award for the Most Valuable Women’s Tennis Player Award | Arianna van Houweling |
| The Most Valuable Men’s Track and Field Athlete Award | Texas Tanner |
| The Most Valuable Women’s Track and Field Athlete Award | Taylor Rioux |
| The Most Valuable Men’s Track and Field Competitor Award | Jalan Rivers |
| The Most Valuable Women’s Track and Field Competitor Award | Ava Gilliana |
| The Most Valuable Volleyball Player Award | Caroline Reinkensmeyer |
| The Most Valuable Water Polo Player Award | Thomas Leggett |
| The Most Valuable Wrestler Award | Wyatt Hendrickson |
| The Most Valuable Athlete Award (men) | Trey Taylor |
| The Most Valuable Athlete Award (women) | Peninah D’Souza |
| The Outstanding Cadet, Athlete Achievement Award | Patrick Hoopes |
| The Outstanding Cadet, Athletic Excellence Award | Wyatt Hendrickson |
| The Outstanding Cadet, Athletic Leadership Award | Samuel Kulasingam |
| The Outstanding Cadet, Scholar-Athlete Award | Grace Sublette |
| The Outstanding Cadet, Physical Education Award | Garrett Kuchan |
| The Outstanding Cadet in Physical Education Average Award | Garrett Kuchan |
| Guardianship awards | Recipient |
|---|---|
| The General David D. Thompson, Class of 1985, Outstanding Cadet in Guardianship Programs Award | Garrett Sieman |
| The Outstanding Cadet in the Order of Merit Commissioning into the U.S. Space Force | Daniel Avila |
| Military awards | Recipient |
|---|---|
| The Intercollegiate Athletics Squadron Award | Cadet Squadron 37 |
| The Intramural Athletics Squadron Award (Malanaphy Trophy) | Cadet Squadron 36 |
| Athletic Excellence Squadron Award (Superintendent’s Trophy) | Cadet Squadron 28 |
| The Drill and Ceremonies Competition Squadron Award | Cadet Squadron 28 |
| The Academic Achievement Squadron Award | Cadet Squadron 27 |
| The Leadership and Scholarship Squadron Award | Cadet Squadron 35 |
| The Military Proficiency Squadron Award | Cadet Squadron 33 |
| The Core Values Squadron Award | Cadet Squadron 20 |
| The Outstanding Squadron Award | Cadet Squadron 36 |
| The Outstanding Group Award | Cadet Group 4 |
| The Outstanding Cadet in Remotely Piloted Aircraft Award | Shelby Wood |
| The Outstanding Cadet Honor Chairperson Award | Joshua Wodrich |
| The Outstanding Cadet Element Leader Award | Samuel Widman |
| The Outstanding Cadet Flight Commander Award | Alexandria Griffith |
| The Outstanding Cadet Squadron Commander Award | Michael Santiago |
| The Outstanding Cadet Group Commander Award | Brett Castro |
| The Cadet Summer Wing Commander Award | Hailey Kim |
| The Cadet Fall Wing Commander Award | Isaac Bates |
| The Cadet Spring Wing Commander Award | Abigail Worley |
| The Outstanding Cadet in Citizenship Award | Grace Sublette |
| The Outstanding Cadet Who Best Exemplifies the Highest Ideals of Loyalty, Integrity and Courage Award | Keeley Shaughnessy |
The U.S. Air Force Academy Band performs at the 2024 Graduation Awards Ceremony in Clune Arena May 28, 2024. More than 85 cadets were recognized during the ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco)
See more Graduation Awards Ceremony photos.