U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - What do a French horn player and a bio-environmental technician assigned to the Air Force Academy have in common?
Both received high-level awards during the Airman Leadership School’s graduation ceremony at Peterson-Schriever Garrison, May 6.
Senior Airman Abigail Martin, a French horn player for the Academy Band, earned the distinguished graduate award, and Senior Airman Robert Rybicky earned the John Levitow Award.
“I was surprised I was selected only because my class proved to be extremely intelligent, thoughtful Airmen who contributed greatly to the discussions presented in class,” said Martin, from Johnsburg, Illinois.
“I have a few professional and personal opportunities I would like to overcome in the year to come, but I know one that is coming is the opportunity to have more responsibility in my squadron,” she said. “I look forward to continuing to prove to myself, my colleagues and my leadership that I am someone they can rely on.”
Rybicky, a bioenvironmental engineering technician at the 10th Air Base - the Academy’s host unit - lists Jasper, Texas as his hometown. He didn’t expect to be in the running for the Levitow award, the highest award given at ALS, he said. The award, presented to the student demonstrating the most outstanding leadership and scholastic qualities, is named after the Academy graduate and Medal of Honor recipient who lost his life in the Vietnam War.
“Once I received the award, the only reason I thought I got it was because my teammates in the class helped me improve day by day,” he said.
“I would like to thank all my teammates and my instructor, Tech. Sgt. Dyrrell Richardson, for helping me move up and become a better leader and person,” Rybicky said.