MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- After a virtual selection board process this spring due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Air Force Culture and Language Center selected 95 Cadets for the Language Enabled Airman Program out of 216 applicants. This year marked the second year that candidates were selected for LEAP from a branch other than the U.S. Air Force; five of the LEAP selectees will eventually enter the U.S. Space Force.
Participation in LEAP is voluntary and highly competitive. To become a LEAP scholar, Airmen and Guardians must demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language specified on the Air Force Strategic Language List, receive an endorsement from their unit commander, and compete via a board process. Selection to LEAP is based on applicants’ existing language proficiency, potential to achieve higher levels of language proficiency, and Air Force language requirements.
Below are the names of the 95 Cadets who are now members of LEAP, or watch our announcement video, featuring LEAP Scholars Maj. Alex Watkins and Capt. Austin Pickrell, on YouTube:
Modern Standard Arabic
Bacon, Makayla
Cain, Hallie
Collord, David
Harrison, Regan
Hess, Lillian
Judkins, Emily
Kristensen, Cameren
Martin, Creston
Mathis, Camryn
Schumacher, Brooke
Walsh, Virginia
Williams, Elizabeth
Chinese Mandarin
Asbury, Fiona
Ault, Dusten
Ayers, Jackson
Chang, Eric
Chen, Winifred
Dalton, Jodi
DiRuggiero, Benjamin
Fletcher, Hannah
Gabriel, Jonathon*
Moen, Elijah
Polzin, Matthew
Qiu, Noah
Quesenberry, Joseph
Sexton, William
Steis, Megan
Sun, Franklin
Vaughan, Henry
Wang, I-Yu
French
Flash, Zachary
Foster, Cailin
Hulet, Adaline
Liu, Peter
Overby, Kaleb
St Pierre, Luke
Topacio, Gabrielle
German
Cooper, Alexander
Hoffmann, Andrew
Miller, Alexander
Morgan, Harley
Ruane, Jill
Whitney, Addison
Wright, Jacob
Haitian Creole
Monthioux, Julius
Japanese
Carter, Briana
Choe, Stephanie
Harris, Akira
Jones, Rayne
Meno, Christopher
Park, Peter*
Korean
Park, Hannah
Pimental, Elizabeth
Shin, Kayla
Smith, Erin
Yun, Christina
Portuguese Brazilian
Cepero, Destiny
Hunt, Zachary
Jacques, Anthony
King, Alexandra
LoGrande, Anna
Stronko, Kylie
Portuguese European
Grim, Mallory
Russian
Bentlin, Samuel*
Fadlovich, Jeffrey
Gostel, Camryn
Kessel, Emily
Maloney, Colin
Nordmark, Samantha
Olhausen, Camryn
Ostrander, Zachary
Schlesinger, Hannah
Schroeder, Hannah*
Staso, Beau
Spanish
Benz, Olivia
Brooks, Benjamin
Castellanos, Enrique
Holub, Vance
Housley, Garrett
Lantzman, Macen
Marenco, Evony
Quintero Hilsaca, Camila
Ricketts, Angela
Rohlwing, Spencer
Samayoa, Wendy
Stone, Alexis
Wieman, Andrea*
Yagoda, Samuel
Zaccone, Stephanie
Swahili
Eadie, Kierenne
Larkins, Cairo
Turkish
Firth, Ryan
Yazzie, Chantz
Urdu
Richey, Stephanie
*Denotes U.S. Space Force