Staff Reports
A sophomore at Columbus Signature Academy — New Tech High School recently received an award named in honor of a famed aviatrix.
Civil Air Patrol Cadet Capt. Abby Wittekind received the Amelia Earhart Award on April 14 from Col. Matthew Creed, Great Lakes Region Commander, at the Indiana Wing Conference awards banquet in Plymouth.
The award honors an aviatrix, writer and champion for civil rights who set many records in aviation’s infancy before her disappearance during her attempt to become the first woman to circumnavigate the globe, according to a Civil Air Patrol news release.
The Earhart Award marks completion of Phase III of the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program, recognizing sustained excellence in all four areas of cadet life: leadership, aerospace, fitness and character. Earhart Award cadets must have passed comprehensive examinations on leadership and aerospace topics, the news release said.
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 also around their state, the news release said.
Earhart recipients also become eligible to represent the United States in the International Air Cadet Exchange.
