Air Force JROTC HQ and the Air Force Association announced on Friday, May 12, that Kayley Spitzer of Clover High School is the recipient of the Air Force JROTC and AFA Cadet Leadership Award.

This is the first time in the history of the award that cadets from the same school have won the award in back-to-back years.  Last year, CHS senior Charlie Bratton won the award.

The Cadet Leadership Award is the only individual cadet award granted. Spitzer was selected from the nearly 900 units and 31,000 juniors eligible for the award.  In September, the CHS junior will receive his award at the AFA convention in Washington, D.C.

Selecting the award winner includes a review at the state and regional levels before the final selection process among all the regional cadets.

Quotes:

Major Brian Batson

The United States Air Force has clearly defined its identity by three simple values: Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do; Cadet Kayley Spitzer epitomizes every one of them. She is an exceptional student and an outstanding school leader! We are fortunate to have her lead our program.

Very few things happen at Clover HS or in Air Force JROTC without Kayley’s influence. She is simply amazing! Kayley is currently ranked #1 in her class (1/555). She is also the Junior Class President and was recently elected as Senior Class President. Kayley is a member of the JROTC Drill Team, Raider Team, CyberPatriot Team, StellarXplorers Team and is a Clover High School Student Ambassador. As our Cadet Corps Wing Commander, she will lead the largest Air Force JROTC program in the region next fall. Kayley will attend the Air Force JROTC Flight Academy this summer at Indiana Wesleyan where she will earn her pilot’s license. 

Rod Ruth, Principal

Kayley Spitzer’s leadership permeates so many facets of life at Clover High School.  Her accolades within our award winning AFJROTC program stand alone as exceptional.  However, it is the manner in which she chases excellence in multiple endeavors that really stands out.  In my estimation, the separator for Kayley is that she not only seeks to excel in all she does, but looks to add elements that do not currently exist.  She not only maintains excellence, but generates it as well.  Clover High School is humbled to have a member of our student body recognized in this way, but not surprised that Kayley Spitzer is that student.