Academy trio honored at National Latina Symposium
By Staff Sgt. Charles Rivezzo, Sept. 21, 2018
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — An Air Force Academy professor and two cadets were presented with the 2018 Latina Style Distinguished Military Service Award Sept. 6, in Arlington, Va.
The annual award recognizes women in the military and Department of Defense civilians who enhance the role of Latinas in their organizations.
Academy Professor Sonia Esquivel, an academic adviser who holds a doctorate in counseling and student development, and Cadets 1st Class Sharon Dominguez and Sarah Kreiser, were among the dozen or so award winners chosen from across the DoD.
Professor Sonia Esquivel
The youngest of 10 children, Esquivel was born in Mexico and sought the “American dream” eventually moving to Garden City, Kansas, in the 1970s.
“Spanish was our first language and we were taught to never forget where we came from,” she said. “Our culture has always been important to us.”
Now entering her ninth year at the Air Force Academy, Esquivel said she “prides herself on spreading awareness of diversity and how we can all impact one another when there is respect and appreciation.”
Her efforts in cadet Sense of Belonging research, involvement in the affinity group, Making Excellence Inclusive, and her cultivated relationships, were among the leading factors that led to Esquivel being recognized by Latina Style.
“It is a humbling experience because so many of us are trailblazers and breaking barriers, and especially those Latinas in uniform who risk their lives for us,” she said. “I feel privileged to work at USAFA and develop our cadets.”
Cadet 1st Class Sharon Dominguez
The daughter of Colombian immigrants, Dominguez’s path to the Academy is different than many of her peers. After graduating high school in 2012, she enlisted in the Air National Guard.
After spending more than a year as an information assurance technician and a stint at the University of Delaware, her commander approached her about applying to the Academy.
“Once I did the research, I realized how great of an opportunity it could be and there was no way I could pass it up,” she said. “I debated starting over and not finishing my degree at the University of Delaware, but now I couldn’t be happier with my decision.”
Dominguez was selected to be one of two cadets to serve on the Academy Superintendent’s Diversity Council to advise the Superintendent on recruiting diversity and provide the perspective of cadets. She also served as Cadet Squadron 22 cadet commander leading 120 cadets.
Dominguez credits her successes to her parents and all they have done to show her what hard work, appreciation and faith can do.
“There were so many impressive and strong women in one room. It was so cool,” she said. “Getting the award just encourages me to continue to strive and be worthy of this award and recognition and be able to represent the Latina community in the way the other awardees have longer into their career.”
Cadet 1st Class Sarah Kreiser
A Phoenix native, Kreiser’s journey to the Academy began when she was 15-years-old, volunteering at the local Veteran Affairs Medical Center, where she discovered her desire to serve in the military.
“A family friend had attended the Academy,” she said. “They encouraged me to look into it as an option, and after doing some research, I knew it was the place for me.”
This year, Kreiser emerged as a leader in the Academy’s Hispanic Heritage Club. Last year, she led a book drive and collected over 750 books for veterans, schools and public libraries. Within the club, she also promoted and assisted with the USAFA Taste of Latin America night to expose cadets to Latin culture and worked with the Angel Service Dogs organization, which lead to her nomination for the award.
“It is an honor to have been nominated and awarded the Distinguished Military Service Award,” she said. “I felt so proud to be able to accept an award recognizing me as a Latina in service.”