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AFDW Commander hosts 2012 Youth of the Year

  • Published
  • By Air Force Public Affairs Agency
Washington, D.C. --  Air Force District of Washington Commander Maj. Gen. Darren McDew hosted the 2012 Air Force Boys & Girls Clubs of America Youth of the Year Award ceremony June 22 in the Pentagon auditorium in Washington, D.C.

The annual event recognized more than 50 Air Force youth from bases across the Air Force for contributions to their installation youth programs, families, schools and communities.

"I stand before you quite humbled in your presence. As I've read your bios and I've read what you've accomplished and it's downright amazing," McDew said.

McDew told the youth they inspire him and remind him of why he continues to serve.

"For every minute I serve with you, believe it or not, I actually try to get as much life, energy, goodwill and knowledge from you as I can," McDew said. "You truly inspire me."

After his speech, McDew presented the Disney "Mouscars" to MAJCOM honorees and plaques to the installation-level honorees.

Eight honorees were selected as their major command youth of the year. Additionally, one was selected as small command youth of the year and one each was selected as the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard youth of the year.

The teens also participated in events at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center in Chevy Chase, Md., including an Air Force Teen Council presentation and leadership and public speaking training. Additionally, the teens began developing Air Force-wide projects to reach out to other Air Force teens in order to get them more involved with their local communities.

"You are our current and next generation leaders in our communities," McDew said.

MAJCOM Youth of the Year
Ashley Eisert, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., Air Combat Command
Matthew Kraudy, Tyndall AFB, Fla., Air Education and Training Command
Annelise Overturf, Whiteman AFB, Mo., Air Force Global Strike Command
Ariel Fisher, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, Air Force Materiel Command
Quinneisha Brooks, Dover AFB, Del., Air Mobility Command
Alexandra Helwig, Los Angeles AFB, Calif., Air Force Space Command
Ghea Moneka Cox, Osan Air Base, South Korea, Pacific Air Forces Command
Xavier Thompson, Royal Air Forces Lakenheath, U.K., U.S. Air Forces in Europe

Small Command Youth of the Year
Alexander Vesel, Hurlburt Field, Fla., Air Force Special Operations Command
Ma Estela Mendoza, Joint Base Andrews, Md., Air Force District of Washington

Air Force Reserve Command and Air National Guard Youth of the Year
Lauren Tancer, Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio, Air Force Reserve Command
Breanna Bowman, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., Virginia Air National Guard

Additional youth of the year from each MAJCOM include:

Air Combat Command
Donovan Young, Beale AFB, Calif.
Amber Snyder, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
Anna Massey, Ellsworth AFB, S.D.
Brianna Sheperd, Holloman, AFB, N.M.
Katherine Hellmann, Langley AFB, Va.
Joseph Ruse, Moody AFB, Ga.
Karla Rogers, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho
Jazmin Jones, Nellis AFB, Nev.
Zion Culley, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.
Eboni Hinton, Shaw AFB, S.C.

Air Education and Training Command
Tianna Fish, Altus AFB, Okla.
Sarah Townsend, Columbus AFB, Miss..
Bianca Eubanks, Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas
Jamal Buchanan, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas
Evan Blauvelt, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas
Kevin Baker, Keesler AFB, Miss
Kayla Staten, Laughlin AFB, Texas
Gloria Law, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
Patricia Hess, Vance AFB, Okla.

Air Force Global Strike Command
Andrew Woods, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo.
Amelia Fasting, Malmstrom AFB, Mont.
Kendall Mills, Minot AFB, N.D.


Air Force Materiel Command
Sh'Linda Miller, Edwards AFB, Calif.
Tyler Schrack, Eglin AFB, Fla.
Derrick Pizarro, Hanscom AFB, Mass.
Emily Gates, Hill AFB, Utah
Enrique Anaya, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
Shaun Walds, Robins AFB, Ga.
Ebony Sayles, Tinker AFB, Okla.

Air Force Special Operations Command
Zachary Cooke, Cannon AFB, NM

Air Force Space Command
Kayla Tinsley, Buckley AFB, Colo.
Dominick Vaske, Patrick AFB, Fla.
Zachary Avant, Peterson AFB, Colo.
Marisa Landreth, Vandenberg AFB, Calif.

Air Mobility Command
Alexander Burch, Grand Forks AFB, N.D.
Lauryssa Davis, Joint Base Charleston-Air Force, S.C.
Kimberly King, Joint Base Charleston-Weapons School, S.C.
Breanna Robinson, Joint Base McGuire, Dix, Lakehurst, N.J.
Kiana Martin, Joint Base McGuire, Dix, Lakehurst, N.J.
Jordan Cui, Joint Base McGuire, Dix, Lakehurst, N.J.
Al Montrice Nelson, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
Chelsea Paul, McConnell AFB, Kan.
Jeffery Martin, Scott AFB, Ill.
Josette Breeden, Travis AFB, Calif.



Pacific Air Forces
Andie Armour, Eilson AFB, Alaska
Jachike Madubuko, Joint Base Fort Richardson, Alaska
Khalil Belden, Kadena AB, Japan
Matthew Misawa AB, Japan
Michael Falkner, Yokota AFB, Japan

U.S. Air Force Academy
Sara Garcia-Stalker

U.S. Air Forces in Europe
Devon Miller, Royal Air Force Menowith Hill, England
Natasha Johnson, RAF, Mildenhall, England
Kitaria Hamilton, Ramstein AB, Germany
Andre Tuzo. Vogelweh AB, Germany

Air Force Youth Programs offers high quality educational, recreational and social activities for youth and teens at Air Force installations worldwide. For more information, visit www.afyouthprograms.com or stop by a local installation youth center.