"UP, UP AND AWAY - Fellow U.S. Air Force Academy 2006 graduates Matthew Boyle and Katrina Mumaw pose for a photo after graduation ceremonies at the academy in Colorado." Jim Mumaw photo
Posted on 06/17/2006 1:17:29 PM PDT by BenLurkin
After four years of intense academic and physical effort, two Valley residents are celebrating their graduation from the United States Air Force Academy. Matthew Boyle and Katrina Mumaw returned from Colorado Springs earlier this month as newly minted second lieutenants in the Air Force.
"It was challenging, but definitely worth it at the end," said Mumaw, a 2001 Lancaster High School graduate.
Both Boyle, a 2002 Paraclete graduate, and Mumaw are enjoying their eight-week vacation before reporting to their first assignment - by far the longest time off the former cadets have had since they began at the academy four years ago. Academy summers are spent in classes or other training exercises, with brief breaks of a week or two.
The military academy experience differs from that of a standard four-year college with the added element of military training and tradition.
"The first year was the most difficult, being thrown into that environment. It's everything together and trying to do it all," Mumaw said.
Cadets quickly learn the value of prioritizing and teamwork.
In addition to his classes and other training, Boyle played trumpet in the marching band, giving him a chance to travel beyond the academy grounds to play at football and basketball games.
"We pretty much went everywhere," he said.
He also worked on the ground station portion of a student satellite program. The cadet-built satellite was launched in March on a rocket built by commercial space start-up SpaceX. Unfortunately the rocket met an untimely end moments after launch. "It just meant I didn't have to run the ground station for it," Boyle said of watching the ill-fated launch on a live video feed.
In lieu of other extracurricular activities, Mumaw took an active role in her squadron, serving as a training officer for 37 first-year cadets.
(Excerpt) Read more at avpress.com ...
"UP, UP AND AWAY - Fellow U.S. Air Force Academy 2006 graduates Matthew Boyle and Katrina Mumaw pose for a photo after graduation ceremonies at the academy in Colorado." Jim Mumaw photo
Heartiest congrats to them.........
RightOnline, USAFA Class of '77
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