Air Force honors Youth of the Year Published June 25, 2004 By Staff Sgt. Melanie Streeter Air Force Print News WASHINGTON -- A ceremony at the Pentagon on June 23 honored Air Force youth representing bases worldwide.This year’s master of ceremonies was both the Air Force Materiel Command Youth of the Year and the Oklahoma State Youth of the Year. Michael Goodman, son of retired Master Sgt. Randall and Donna Goodman from Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., attends the University of Central Oklahoma where he studies broadcast journalism.Mr. Goodman is one of two youths selected by Boys and Girls Clubs of America to spend one week in London shadowing the Honorable Jack Straw, the United Kingdom’s secretary of state for foreign and commonwealth affairs.Taking top honors for U.S. Air Forces in Europe is Shawnlee Bradley, daughter of Capt. Scott and Audra Bradley, Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England.Ms. Bradley was president of her senior class, co-captain of the cheerleading squad, and a member of the Kitty Hawk Aid Society and Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps. She plans to study child psychology.A young woman from Columbus AFB, Miss., is Air Education and Training Command’s Youth of the Year.Deborah Garrison, daughter of Maj. David and Joy Garrison, spent a week in Mexico on a church mission trip, where she planned vacation Bible school and worked with 22 resident children. She plans to attend Mississippi State University to study radiology.Air Force Space Command’s Youth of the Year is Kendra Melton. Ms. Melton is the daughter of Lt. Col. Roberta and Kenneth Melton from Patrick AFB, Fla.Enrolled in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, Ms. Melton led her underdog basketball team to a league championship. She volunteered 350 hours assisting in a variety of activities, and plans to attend the University of Texas where she will study architecture.Air Mobility Command’s Youth of the Year is also the North Dakota State Youth of the Year. Jessica Weber, daughter of Lt. Col. James and Denise Weber, was a speaker at her graduation, editor of her school’s newspaper and a member of the National Honor Society and National Honor Roll.Ms. Weber plans to attend the University of North Dakota to study broadcast journalism.The top Pacific Air Forces Youth of the Year is Kristina Leh, daughter of Senior Master Sgt. Chris and Chong Sun Leh from Osan Air Base, South Korea.Ms. Leh was the Model United Nations Team president at her school as well as Keystone Club president. She plans to study business.A flag bearer for World Youth Day 2002, Joshua Bartholomew, is Air Combat Command’s Youth of the Year.The son of Maj. Bruce and Christina Bartholomew from Whiteman AFB, Mo., was also president of the Spirit 4-H club, and founder and president of his school’s chess club. Mr. Bartholomew plans to attend the University of North Dakota to study biology.From Hurlburt Field, Fla., Erica Black is Air Force Special Operations Command Youth of the Year. The daughter of Master Sgt. Tracy and Karen Black spends many hours volunteering for a number of family-oriented events. She plans to pursue a career in engineering.Kyle Alfultis, son of. Chuck and Karen Alfultis from the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., is the Small Base Command Youth of the Year. He is a member of the National Honor Society, Science Olympiad Team and Physics Bowl Team. He also volunteers at the humane society, soup kitchens and as a youth baseball coach. Mr. Alfultis hopes to attend the Air Force Academy to study physics.Rounding out this year’s honorees is Kimberly Garrison, Air National Guard Youth of the Year.The daughter of Senior Master Sgt. Kurt Garrison is a member of Who’s Who Among American High School Students. She was a member of the Western Athletic Conference All Star Basketball team and won the 2004 Prudential Spirit Award. Ms. Garrison hopes to attend Nazareth College to study education.These command-level winners were joined in Washington by youth from bases worldwide. They attended leadership training and educational trips including visits to the Arlington National Cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknowns, the Holocaust Museum and the Supreme Court.