Categorized | Education

Waiakea High School senior receives appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy

MEDIA RELEASE

Owen Cooper

Waiakea High School senior Owen Cooper has accepted an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He will be a member of the class of 2014 and reports for Inprocessing on June 24, 2010.

The U.S. Air Force Academy, the youngest of the nation’s five United States service academies, is considered one of the finest four-year colleges in the nation. It, like all the academies, is also one of nation’s most select institutions. Only about 1,500 of the 10,000 applicants are awarded an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Candidates for admission are judged on their academic and athletic achievements, demonstrated leadership ability and character. To gain admission, candidates must also pass a fitness test, undergo a thorough medical examination and be personally recommended for the position, usually by a member of Congress from their home district. Cooper received congressional nominations from both Senator Daniel Akaka and Congresswoman Mazie Hirono.

Owen was a member of Waiakea High School’s NJROTC during his freshman and sophomore years, where he was the Color Guard Commander and Platoon Leader and received the Military Order of the World Wars Award of Merit for Outstanding Potential for Military Excellence and the Surface Navy Association’s Stephen Decatur Award for demonstrating the Navy’s core values of honor, courage and commitment.

In his junior and senior year, Cooper was the Class Treasurer and the Class Vice-President, respectively. He was a member of the school’s Leo and Key Club and also participated on Waiakea High School’s cross-country, swim, and track and field teams. Owen was a member of the National Honor Roll all four years of high school.

Outside of high school, Owen has been a cadet in the Civil Air Patrol’s Lyman Field Composite Squadron since he was 12 years old. He credits the CAP Cadet Program with teaching him about airplanes and flying through their Aerospace Education classes and hands-on orientation flights. He also learned Search and Rescue techniques, became a qualified radio communicator, performed many community service projects, and began developing his leadership skills.

Cooper was one of the youngest recipients of CAP’s General Billy Mitchell Award at the age of 14 and he also received a Special Commendation by the Senate of the 24th Legislature of the State of Hawaii presented by Representative Mazie Hirono. He eventually became the squadron’s Cadet Commander in 2009 and earned the Amelia Earhart award and a Special Commendation by the House of Representatives of the 27th Legislature of the State of Hawaii presented by Representative Jerry Chang.

Owen was chosen by the Hawaii Chapter of the Society of American Engineers to attend the USAF Academy’s Engineering and Construction camp held at the academy during the summer of 2009. He documented that week-long experience as part of his Senior Project for graduation.

“I feel very honored to have this chance to attend one of the top schools in the nation. It has always been my dream to attend the Air Force Academy – and now I have the opportunity to live my dream. It’s amazing!” said Cooper. “We are very proud that Owen has achieved the goal that he started on over four years ago. We will continue to pray for him as he faces the challenges ahead and serves his country.” said Owen’s parents Paul and Barbara Cooper of Hilo.

One Response to “Waiakea High School senior receives appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy”

  1. Ruth Benefiel says:

    We are so proud of Owen…We know he will achieve all of his goals in life. We will look forward to
    hearing about his accomplishments at the Academy. With love, Aunt Ruth and Uncle Bene.

Trackbacks/Pingbacks


Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

 

Quantcast