AFA Graduate goes above and beyond expectations

A picture is worth a thousand words. If that’s the case, this picture would tell the story of a patriotic little girl who would grow up to fight for our country.

Fast forward 22 years,that little girl is all grown up and graduating from the air force academy.

It’s been hard, but worth it.

Cadet first class Genevieve has been a hard-working student. The honor officer for her squadron,a dancer on the air force academy dance team,and now, a second-lieutenant for the United States Air Force.

Genevieve worked day in and day out to get to this point.

Especially since growing up, she had no idea she would one day be a part of the Air Force.A picture would tell you it wasn’t until she randomly toured the Academy on a family vacation that she realized her desire to serve.

“Going to school for something bigger, i thought that was really cool,” said Genevieve.

She worked for the next three years in high school to secure the congressional nomination, becoming the leader of multiple school clubs, joining civil air patrol, and maintaining good grades.

Even after she got in…the work didn’t stop there. First, basic training.

“iI’s actually more of a marathon than a sprint. i heard that before my freshman year and i think it’s one of the best things i could have heard because everyone is so concentrated on getting through freshman year but the challenges continue throughout,” said Genevieve.

Then, a non-stop schedule everyday. After class, there’s dance practice,and after practice there’s meetings and studying.

Challenges like that non-stop schedule, intense classes, and demanding physical training, it’s a wonder how these cadets make it through all four years.

In the bigger picture, many don’t. Only 824 of the 1,035 cadets who first started four years ago are graduating.

Captain Grant Thomas is Genevieve’s astronautics instructor. He’s seen his fair share of students have to leave the academy.

“To stay here for the four years, it takes an incredible amount of grit. it takes a deep desire to finish and also serve our country. because they’re making sacrifices other students are not,” said Thomas.

But in a sea of green, he says Genevieve stands out, “genevieve is wonderful – she’s always smiling and attentive. she works hard to grasp the material but also to really engage it and potentially apply it,” said Thomas.

And I, Dana Clemens, think she does too, because this picture would also tell you that this little girl is a little sister who has a big sister who is very proud of her, and that big sister is me.

Since we were little, she’s been teaching me invaluable lessons.and she continues to do so as she moves on to the next phase in her life. Including lessons she learned from experience at the academy.

Now, she is moving forward to fight for our freedom