May 29 - United States Air Force Academy

4
CS 37 cadet selected as 2013
Top
Academy Spirit
WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2013
grad
By Don Branum
Academy Spirit staff writer
Cadet 1st Class Zebulon Hanley was selected
as the Air Force Academy’s top graduate by
the Academy Review Board Friday.
Hanley, who is assigned to Cadet Squadron
37, will be the first member of the Class of
2013 to receive his diploma from Secretary of
the Air Force Michael Donley.
Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Mike
Gould had CS 37’s air officer commanding,
Maj. Colin Cremin, call Hanley away from
parade practice on the Stillman Parade Field
to report to the superintendent’s office in Harmon
Hall.
“I was worried about what was going on, but
I was confident that I had done everything appropriately,”
Hanley said. “But when they actually
announced that I was graduating first,
I (felt) a sense of relief, but I was also very
happy, very surprised.”
Hanley credits his family, fellow graduates
and instructors for his success.
“I’m really thankful for everyone who helped
me get here,” he said. “I think a lot of my own
success is a product of my parents’ hard work
and the support from the rest of my family,
my classmates and all my great professors and
other mentors that I’ve had at the Academy. If
anything, it’s a good reward for them.”
The top graduate, chosen annually based on
academic, military and athletic performance
averages, is the first to receive his diploma after
the commencement address.
Raptors remain number one
Cadet Squadron 22 named top
squadron for third consecutive year
By Amber Baillie
Academy Spirit writer
Cadet Squadron 22’s
Raptors have upheld
their reputation as being
nothing less than
outstanding.
This year the
squadron won
Outstanding
Squadron of
the Year for
a third consecutive
year for outstanding
achievements in the academic, military
performance and athletic areas.
CS 22 took first in the athletic and
military categories and has occupied
the top-ranking spot of the 40 cadet
squadrons for the 2012-2013 academic
year.
“The mentality in our squadron is
different,” said Bryan Anderson, CS
22’s spring semester squadron commander.
“All of us inspire to do our
best in all areas and our hard work
has shown. We approach everything
differently.”
DON BRANUM
Cadet 1st Class Zebulon Hanley poses for a photo with an assist from some of his classmates in the background prior
to the Graduation Parade at the Air Force Academy Tuesday. Hanley was named the Academy’s top graduate by the Air
Force Academy Review Board.
According to Lt. Col. Brande Walton,
CS 22’s air officer commanding,
most members in the squadron
feel the defining feature of
the squadron is its culture: to
strive for success whether it’s
on the intramural field or
in the classroom.
“We’re known for
winning but people
don’t recognize how
much we care about
one another,” said
Cadet 1st Class Doug
Brown, a CS 22 member. “We
strive to mentor and develop those
around us and that aspect definitely
has contributed to our success.”
Benefits from the award have included
recognition at the awards parade,
sitting on stage during the Academy
graduation and marching in the 57th
Inauguration Parade.
“Although many other opportunities
are likely to be hailed for this year,
Raptors do not strive for the reward,”
Walton said. “Instead, they strive to
be the best that the United States Air
Force Academy has to offer.”
Academy recognizes more
outstanding squadrons
Academic
Achievement
Cadet Squadron
02
Athletic
Excellence
Cadet Squadron
11
Core
Values
Cadet Squadron
30
Drill and
Ceremonies
Cadet Squadron
32
Intercollegiate
Athletics
Cadet Squadron
32
Intramural
Athletics
Cadet Squadron
16
Leadership and
Scholarship
Cadet Squadron
04
Military
Proficiency
Cadet Squadron
29
Outstanding Group - Cadet Group 3
Outstanding Squadron - Cadet Squadron 22