The 47th Flying Training Wing recognized two outstanding students in the San Felipe Del Rio Consolidated Independent School District Career and Technical Education program with the inaugural “Rising Eagle” award presentation during the 2024 Laughlin Annual Awards Ceremony March 14, at XL Landings.
High school senior, Christi Colunga, and junior, Alfredo Garcia, received the new Rising Eagle award to recognize their outstanding performance in the CTE Program on Laughlin, where both students participated in the aircraft maintenance Grow Your Own program with the 47th Maintenance Directorate.
“We are honored to recognize these two hard-working students with our Rising Eagle Award,” said Chief Lester Largaespada, 47th FTW command chief. “Their excellent grades, attendance, volunteer hours, and overall superior performance earned them this achievement.”
Students in this program work side by side with employees of the base to gain tangible, hands-on skills that go beyond learning and translate to government positions on Laughlin.
“Our Grow Your Own program is critical to developing our local youth and getting them out to Laughlin AFB,” said Col Tyler Ellison, 47th FTW commander. “We are committed to working with SFDRCISD to further expand CTE programs at Laughlin beyond just the programs we have today.”
The 47th FTW Leadership, SFDRCISD and the CTE program are working to include a wider variety of career path opportunities for students on Laughlin.
“Leveraging the CTE program to grow our own here has sustained our local workforce for decades,” said Ellison. “Our partnership to expand curriculum to align with more positions will boost recruitment and further strengthen our relationship with the community.”