ALS Class 25-E grads celebrate at the museum Published July 8, 2025 By Daniel Peterson 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Chief Master Sgt. Grace A. Peterson Airman Leadership School honored 26 graduates in a ceremony June 26 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. 88th Force Support Squadron Airmen Leadership School staff pose with Tech. Sgt. Ryan Amell (second from left) during his last graduation ceremony as ALS instructor at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, June 26, 2025. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Chief Master Sgt. Jose Alvarez, the command aircraft manager at Air Force Materiel Command, guest speaker and class mentor, emphasized to Class 25-E the importance of understanding the “why” and the motivation for serving. “Why do you show up every day, even when it is hard? Your “why” will shift over time. Maybe it’s your family, maybe it is a personal mission,” Alvarez said. “But no matter what it is, the reason is to be close to your heart. We don’t risk our lives for material things, we do it for people, for purpose.” “Let your “why” push you to go the extra mile. Let it drive how you lead and how you set standards,” he continued. “As new supervisors, I challenge you to get to know your everyone’s “why.” You will gain insight, trust, and loyalty that no regulation or checklist can match.” U.S. Air Force Col. Dustin Richards (left), 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Tessa Fontaine (right), 88 ABW command chief, congratulate award recipients at the Chief Master Sgt. Grace A. Peterson Airman Leadership School graduation ceremony at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, June 26, 2025. ALS is required for staff sergeant selects, and open to eligible civilians, as Airmen learn more about leadership and Air Force culture. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Alvarez encouraged the new graduates to support each other while continuing to lead with integrity. Lastly, he congratulated the newest graduates and offered three words to carry with them as they lead: humility, courage and credibility. The event was also Tech. Sgt. Ryan Amell’s last ALS graduation as an ALS instructor. Col. Dustin Richards, 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander, and Chief. Master Sgt. Tessa Fontaine, 88 ABW command chief, took the moment to recognize Amell for all his time, hard-work, and dedication during his special duty tenure. U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Jose Alvarez, the command aircraft manager at Air Force Materiel Command, congratulates the graduates of Chief Master Sgt. Grace A. Peterson Airmen Leadership School Class 25-E at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, June 26, 2025. Class 25-E completed a five-week course that prepares staff sergeant selects for the leadership responsibilities that come with their new rank. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Graduates included Airmen, Guardians and Coast Guardsmen from Air Force Materiel Command, 88th Air Base Wing, National Air and Space Intelligence Center, Air National Guard, and the U.S. Coast Guard. ALS is required for staff sergeant selects, and open to eligible civilians, as Airmen learn more about leadership and Air Force culture. Below is the list of graduates and award winners: 76th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron Sgt. Guillermo Cepeda (Academic Achievement Award) 88th Air Base Wing Senior Airman Cindy Soto Mendez 88th Communications Squadron Senior Airman Westen Domke Senior Airman Richard Tiongson Senior Airman Julien Zamora 88th Dental Squadron Senior Airman Kennedy Brown 88th Diagnostics and Therapeutics Squadron Senior Airman Hayley French 88th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron Senior Airman Bradley Chambers Senior Airman Marlae Davis Senior Airman Rachel Scott 88th Inpatient Operations Squadron Senior Airman Cheyenne Schefke 88th Medical Support Squadron Senior Airman Kayli Loo 88th Security Forces Squadron Staff Sgt. Sophia Tchupyk Senior Airman Amber Fane 115th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Senior Airman Matthew Bartz 183rd Force Support Squadron Senior Airman Amelia Davidsmeyer Air Force Institute of Technology Senior Airman Samuel Kaut Air Force Materiel Command Senior Airman Madeline Young National Air and Space Intelligence Center Senior Airman Alexia Archuleta Senior Airman Sara Hallstein (Leadership & Distinguished Graduate Award) Senior Airman James Eggers Senior Airman Jaydon Kochevar Senior Airman Michael Paige (John L. Levitow Award) Senior Airman Matthew Ridenour U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine Senior Airman Angelo Ramos U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Alaina Mullnex (Distinguished Graduate Award)