Erwin ALS graduates Class 11-E Published June 2, 2011 By Master Sgt. Geoff Robertson Erwin Airman Leadership School commandant KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- The Erwin Professional Military Education Center wrapped up five-weeks of training for the 56 students of Airman Leadership School Class 11-E with a graduation banquet and awards ceremony held in their honor at the Rocker NCO Club, May 20. Designed to prepare Senior Airmen for positions of greater responsibility, Airman Leadership School strengthens the ability to lead, follow, and manage by providing many of the leadership skills required of military supervisors. Following a keynote address by guest speaker Chief Master Sgt. Richard J. Vargas, special recognition was presented to the following individuals, and then all students received their diplomas. The top graduate and recipient of the JOHN L. LEVITOW AWARD was Senior Airman Nicholas R. Vinoverski, 18th Communication Squadron. This is the highest honor awarded a graduate of any Air Force enlisted professional military education course. It is named for Medal of Honor recipient Sergeant John L. Levitow for his actions during the Vietnam War and is presented to the one student who not only demonstrates academic excellence, but also the outstanding attributes of leadership, enthusiasm, military bearing, and dedication to the spirit and mission of the total Air Force. The DISTINGUISHED GRADUATE AWARD is presented to the students in the top ten percent of the class. It is based on objective and performance evaluations, demonstrated leadership, and performance as a team player. The Distinguished Graduates were: Senior Airman Paul T. McIlwain, 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron Senior Airman Nathan D. Milan, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron Senior Airman Norman C. Lewis, 320th Special Tactics Squadron Senior Airman Christopher Stadnicki, 718th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Senior Airman Christopher Gregersen, 18th Component Maintenance Squadron The ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD was presented to Senior Airman Christopher Gregersen, 18th Component Maintenance Squadron. This award denotes excellence as a scholar. It is based upon all summative objective tests and individual performance evaluations and is given to the student with the highest overall academic standing. The COMMANDANT AWARD was presented to Senior Airman Norman C. Lewis, 320th Special Tactics Squadron. This award is presented to the student who made the most significant contribution to the overall success of the class by demonstrating superior leadership abilities and excellent skills as a team member. Graduates from the five-week course included: EAGLE FLIGHT Class First Sergeant: Staff Sgt. Darren S. Staples, 18 OSS Flight Leader: Senior Airman Paul T. McIlwain, 18 EMS Senior Airman Adam M. Bridges, 390 IS Senior Airman Matthew R. Dunning, 18 AMXS Senior Airman Nathan D. Milan, 18 CES Senior Airman Sean D. Pentz, 18 CMS Senior Airman Andrew V. Smith, 18 MUNS Senior Airman Nicholas R. Vinoverski, 18 CS Senior Airman Nicholas R. Cerveny, 718 AMXS Senior Airman Max E. Mayeda, 718 AMXS Senior Airman Eric W. McNeil, 18 AMXS Senior Airman Justin B. Minor, 18 EMS Senior Airman Jasmine C. Simpson, 18 FSS Senior Airman Manoj F. Williams, 18 CES FALCON FLIGHT Flight Leader: Senior Airman Christopher D. Stadnicki, 718 AMXS Senior Airman Zachary T. Aguiar, 18 CS Senior Airman Everette M. Harris, 18 CMS Senior Airman Felicia L. Hunt, 18 FSS Senior Airman Phillip B. Larson, 18 EMS Senior Airman Kemmesha M. Lilly, 353 SOSS Senior Airman Cody H. Specht, 390 IS Senior Airman Alejandro Valencia-Hernandez, 18 AMXS Senior Airman Michael V. Castro, 718 AMXS Senior Airman Kody Q. Hawkins, 82 RS Senior Airman Christopher R. Johnson, 18 CES Senior Airman Norman C. Lewis, 320 STS Senior Airman Jason M. Richmond, 18 AMXS Senior Airman Matthew D. Swaim, 353 SOMXS PHANTOM FLIGHT Flight Leader: Senior Airman Francisco N. Bolanos, 18 CES Senior Airman Carlos A. Gerena Jr.,18 EMS Senior Airman Christopher D. Gregersen, 18 CMS Senior Airman Leonard Lavant, 718 AMXS Senior Airman Ashby C. Mullin-Conant, 718 AMXS Senior Airman Michael G. Stewart, 18 EMS Senior Airman Brandon A. Vance, 18 CMS Senior Airman Michael A. Bourell, 353 SOMXS Senior Airman Daniel Gomez, 733 AMS Senior Airman Elsie B. Hayslip, 18 CS Senior Airman Matthew T. Lee, 718 CES Senior Airman Jonathan L. Roe, 18 CES Senior Airman Tacoma M. Tomilson, 390 IS Senior Airman Court D. Wright, 18 AMXS TALON FLIGHT Class Leader: Staff Sgt. Michael J. DaGama, 18 CS Flight Leader: Staff Sgt. Ian A. Anderson Pirie, 353 SOSS Senior Airman Sarah A. Brown, 18 CMS Senior Airman Cory L. Culp, 353 SOMXS Senior Airman Lance E. Franklin, 18 CES Senior Airman Ian C. Haxton, 18 MUNS Senior Airman Christopher Lariosa, 18 CES Senior Airman Amber I. Melgoza-Kulesza, 18 CS Senior Airman Kyle B. Blair, 18 EMS Senior Airman Jonnathan T. Clay, 17 SOS Senior Airman Christopher T. Grouard, 718 AMXS Senior Airman Timothy J. Krueger, 718 AMXS Senior Airman Rayshawn T. Lewis, 18 AMXS Senior Airman Robert M. Smith, 18 CS