ALS Class 25-E grads celebrate at the museum

  • Published
  • 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.  

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.” 
   
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 Smith for all his time, hard-work, and dedication during his special duty tenure. 

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)