Two grads returning to the Academy, performing with Tops in Blue Aug. 21

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Heather Stanton
  • U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  Two Academy graduates return here as Tops in Blue performers at 7:30 p.m., Aug. 21 in Arnold Hall.

Tops in Blue is the Air Force's premier entertainment showcase, highlighting the "best of the best" performers throughout the Air Force. The Tops in Blue 60th Anniversary performance, "Family Entertaining Family," is free and open to the public.

First Lts. Alicia Wallace and Shannon Hart, Class of 2012 and 2011 respectively, first saw Tops in Blue during their respective freshman years.

"I heard about Tops in Blue my freshman year at the Academy," Wallace said. "It was one of those 'highly encouraged' activities that the freshmen were required to attend. I remember having low expectations of the show initially because I had never heard of it before, and I didn't expect Air Force members skilled at their jobs would have any sort of musical talent.

"When I saw the show, however, I was dazzled!" she added. "The lights, the costumes, the humor, and the music were all so entertaining and of such high quality. I didn't believe they were actually active duty members until the end of the show when they had their mess dress on. I was so inspired."

Both lieutenants participated in performing units while at the Academy: Hart was in the Cadet Orchestra during her freshman year, and Cadet Chorale freshman through senior years, as well as The Academy Singers her junior and senior years. Wallace was in the Show Choir her junior and senior years.

"When I made the team, I remembered how much I loved to sing, and it was extremely fulfilling to be back on a stage sharing my talent with those who really genuinely appreciated it," said Wallace, a Tops in Blue vocalist. "It also gave me the confidence I needed to continuing pursing music."

Both lieutenants think their experience here helps with life on the road.

"Staging is one of the hardest things I've been through in my life, and the principles of hard work and diligence that were developed while I was a cadet kept me going when I wanted to give up" Hart said. "Also, the stamina I developed from juggling so many tasks at a time throughout my four years at (the Academy) has been essential for life on the road."

Hart is looking forward to returning to the Academy and seeing what is different.

"I'm interested in seeing how it's changed since I've been there," said the keyboardist. "I've heard there are some newly-constructed memorials and buildings. I'm also looking forward to seeing all the ways it has remained the same. I am looking forward to eating on the staff tower(at Mitchell Hall). I only got to once as a cadet! But most of all, I can't wait to be back on the Arnold Hall stage!"

Wallace shares the same feelings about returning to the familiar stage.

"I can't believe it's been two years," she said. "I know that when I left I didn't expect to be coming back so soon, but I can't wait to see the legacy my class left behind. I know I will still get the knots in my stomach that I used to feel when I thought I was late to class or missing a formation, but I welcome those feelings because they remind me of how difficult it was to be a cadet and how much I accomplished by making it through and being where I'm at now. I definitely want to see Mitches, but more than anything, I look forward to being on that stage performing to a freshman just like I was who will be a Tops In Blue member someday!"

A cadet-only Tops in Blue performance will be 7:30 p.m., Aug. 22.

For more information about Tops in Blue, visit www.topsinblue.com.