City presents Cadet Dylewski with Spirit of the Springs Award

  • Published
  • By John Van Winkle
  • U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers visited the Air Force Academy Dec. 1 to present the Spirit of the Springs Award to Cadet 1st Class Christopher Dylewski, a cadet athlete, for his longstanding support of his hometown.

The annual city award recognizes volunteer activities or achievements that bring honor and pride to Colorado Springs, and receive state, national or international attention.

"In all his activities, he has had a positive impact on our community," Suthers said, during a presentation in front of the cadet wing in Mitchell Hall.

Dylewski is a volunteer with the Academy's Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Club and helped organize the 2014 Wounded Warrior hockey program. He's the founder of RISE, a nonprofit organization that encourages underprivileged young people in Colorado Springs to lead community service projects.

Dylewski, an international history and political science major, made the Dean's Aces List twice for his 4.0 GPA. He's also a guard for the Falcons' hockey team.

"Christopher is a vital member of our team who sets the tone for the team Monday through Thursday," said Falcons' hockey head coach Frank Serratore. "He sets the tone at practice; he sets the tone in the weight room; and he sets the tone in meetings." 

Serratore said Dylewski also sets an academic tone for the team while traveling.

"On our last away-game trip to play Sacred Heart, I found him tutoring our team's freshmen," Serratore said. "That's not the first time this has happened."

Dylewski said he was humbled by the award.

"It's so gratifying to receive the award, because I've been given so much by the community and I'm just trying to give as much as I can back," he said. "It reminds me why I chose to serve as a career. An award like this isn't about me -- it's about the people I've gotten the chance to work with -- and to help make a difference."

This is fifth Spirit of the Springs award presented to an Academy cadet or staff member.