USAF JROTC Cadet Awards

The AFA Lance P Sijan Chapter presented USAF JROTC Outstanding Cadet awards at Sand Creek High School on April 20^, 2023; Air Academy High School on April 24^, 2023; Vista Ridge High School on May 1, 2023 and Mitchell High School on May 5, 2023.  An Outstanding Cadet Award was also presented to the Space Force JROTC at Falcon High School on May 4, 2023. Photograph shown is the presentation by Chapter Vice President Bruce Hall, CMSGT, USAF (Ret), to Cadet Ryan Wendt at Air Academy High School.

Colorado State AFA Outstanding Systems Engineering Cadet

“I knew her when she was just a young Cadet First Class!” I can almost hear myself saying those words in a year, or five, or ten, or maybe even twenty years from now when the name Shea Burcham comes up. To be fair, I only knew her as Cadet First Class Burcham for about two hours one morning in May. As I write this, she’s already been commissioned and is now 2nd Lt Burcham.

Let me explain. On Tuesday, 30 May I had the distinct pleasure of attending the 2023 U.S. Air Force Academy Award Ceremony as the Colorado AFA State Vice President for Aerospace Education. The State AFA sponsors the Outstanding Cadet in Systems Engineering award each year. Shea is this year’s awardee, as you may have guessed, and what a deserving recipient she is!

Not only is Shea an outstanding student (top cadet for 7 of 8 semesters), she’s also an athlete (swimming), and stood up two cadet training programs. This fall, she’s headed to Stanford to get her Master’s degree in Management Science and Engineering. But wait! There’s more! After she gets her Master’s, she’ll take off, literally, on her career in helicopters. On top of that, she’s just cool. I can’t speak for Shea, but I had a blast throughout the ceremony. It was a treat to watch her cheer on her friends and fellow award winners with genuine delight. She explained parade dress uniform components to me, and I now know on which side a sash should be worn. She even did me the honor of introducing me to her delightful and justifiably proud family.

Some Tuesdays are better than others. May 30 was a great Tuesday. Congratulations, Lt!  You make us proud. Fly high and always remember that your AFA family is on your wing (or rotor)!

AFA Program Manager of the Year

At the request of the AFA Headquarters, past Chapter President, Paul Bailey, Colonel, USAF (Ret), presented this National-level award to Ms. Teresa Wheeler at the Space Operations Command/S8 at Peterson SFB.  Ms. Wheeler was recognized for her outstanding performance managing millions of dollars of Space-related programs during 2022.

USAFA Outstanding Squadron Award

Chapter President, Paul Bailey, Colonel, USAF (Ret) present the award to Cadet Squadron Commanders for 2022-2023 C1C (Now 2nd Lt, USAF) Chase Thatcher and C1C (Now 2nd Lt, USAF) Ella Mangels at the USAFA graduation awards ceremony on May 30, 2023.