GREEN Two Civil Air Patrol cadets from the Akron Canton Composite Squadron were awarded the Amelia Earhart Award and promoted to the rank of cadet captain at a special ceremony.
C/Capts. Christian Hoch and Harrison Traylor received the award Sunday from Col. Darren Hamilton at the MAPS Air Museum. Only 5% of Civil Air Patrol cadets nationwide obtain the Amelia Earhart Award.
Hoch is a junior at Lake High School, a member of CCS, a USA Swimming club team, Lake High School swim team and the Lake Blue Streaks marching band.
Last summer, Hoch was accepted to the National Falcon Flight Academy in New Jersey, where he earned his solo wings at the age 16. As a member of the Akron Canton Composite Squadron, he has served as cadet deputy commander, part of the Cyber-Patriot team and Ground Team 3.
"I've been interested in flying my entire life," Hoch said. "We lived close to the airport and that helped keep me interested. It took a lot of hard work and training to get to today, but getting this award means it all paid off."
He plans to go to college to get his bachelor's degree in business or possibly something in the field of flying.
"I want to participate in the ROTC at college and then enter the United States Air Force after I graduate college," Hoch said.
Traylor is a junior at Jackson High School with a GPA of 3.75. He is the committee chair of Cadet Advisory Council. He earned his pre-solo wings from Glider Academy and will be earning his solo wings this summer. As a member of the Akron Canton Composite Squadron, he has served as cadet deputy commander, part of the Cyber-Patriot team and Ground Team 3.
Traylor is also a star rank in the Boy Scouts, about to earn life rank. He has been elected twice as senior patrol leader and is a member of the Order of the Arrow. Traylor is also OSHA trained and certified.
"I took an experimental flight when I was 12 years old and that got me interested in flying and my interest just kept growing," he said.
"I plan to go to enroll in the United States Air Force after I graduate high school. I want to fly fighter jets but if I don't qualify, flying bombers would be just fine with me. After leaving the Air Force, I want to fly commercial or executive planes."
The 278th Squadron leader Lance Kittinger said, "Receiving this award is rather unique, less than 20,000 cadets nationwide have been given this prestigious award."
According to the group, "the Amelia Earhart Award is the third of five milestone awards that CAP cadets can earn. Named for the groundbreaking aviation pioneer, cadets who earn the award must live up to Earhart's standards of excellence and earn the grade of Cadet Captain. Achievement of this milestone award requires they have earned their Billy Mitchell Award, successful completion of leadership and aerospace exams, a rigorous physical fitness test and demonstration of leadership abilities including principles of an officer and the responsibilities of command.
Once a cadet earns the Amelia Earhart Award, he or she is promoted to the grade of cadet captain and is challenged to lead and serve junior-ranking cadets not just in the hometown squadron but around (the state) as well. Perhaps the award's most coveted benefit is that Earhart cadets become eligible to represent the United States in the International Air Cadet Exchange."
There were three other awards given at the ceremony:
C/SSgt. Claire L. Gerber, CAP: Achievement Award for outstanding duty performance.
Traylor: Civil Air Patrol officer citation and medal award.
Nathaniel W. Desantis: Civil Air Patrol non-commissioned officer citation and medal award.
To find a local squadron, visit www.GoCivilAirPatrol.com.
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