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Local Daedalian chapter awards scholarships

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Jonathan A. Monsalve
  • 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Two recent Del Rio High School graduates and Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) members were recognized by a local chapter of the Order of Daedalians and received scholarships toward college attendance.

The Order of Daedalians is a national organization of rated military aviators, started in 1934 by a group of WWI pilots. Today, the organization has several different flights all over the country; the local Laughlin and Del Rio chapter, the 59th (George Beverly) Flight, meets quarterly, invites guest speakers to attend meetings and speaks with UPT graduating classes.

Leonel Martinez was awarded the "New UPT Pilot Recruiting Scholarship" for $2000. Cade Cadena was awarded a Daedalian matching scholarship worth $1500.

The presentation was held in the 86th Flying Training Squadron with Daedalian chapter leadership and Laughlin's military members in attendance.

Both students were encouraged to apply for the scholarships by their Air Force JROTC commander, retired Air Force Lt Col Simon Benavides.

"Leonel stood out among his peers early in his JROTC career," said Benavides.  "He quickly developed a good command voice and excellent military bearing...a complete 'total person' package made him an outstanding candidate for a Daedalian scholarship."

Martinez will be attending the University of Texas at Austin this fall and hopes to study aerospace engineering. During his senior year, Martinez gave up a chance to compete for command of his JROTC detachment in order to focus on challenging college level academic courses.

"It gives me a sense of fulfillment that I'm on track to reaching my goal," said Martinez. "To be recognized by airmen who I one today aspire to become gives me confidence that I will succeed."

Benavides described Cadena in equal terms. Cadena will be attending Texas A&M in the fall and hopes to study Chemistry on his path to becoming an Air Force officer.

"He proved to be very dependable and developed an 'attention to detail' work ethic that was well above a high school level," said Benavides. "Cadena graduated in the top 5% of his class. Based on his strong academic background and drive, I knew he would be successful in any career he chose."