Air Force honors top youths at Pentagon

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Jon Soucy
National Guard Bureau

Dakota Johnson, left, shakes hands with Air Force Lt. Gen. Richard Newton, deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel at U.S. Air Force Headquarters, while being recognized as the Air National Guard's Youth of the Year as part of the 2010 Air Force Youth of the Year awards program during a ceremony at the Pentagon, Thursday, June 24, 2010. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jon Soucy)(Released)
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WASHINGTON, (6/24/10) - The son of two North Carolina Air National Guard officers was named one of the 10 Air Force Youth of the Year for 2010 here at the Pentagon today.

Dakota Johnson, son of Capt. Stephanie Johnson and 2nd Lt. Eric Johnson, who are both members of the 145th Medical Group, was recognized for his achievements at the ceremony.

The Youth of the Year Program partners with the Boys and Girls Club and recognizes one young person from each Air Force installation, who exemplifies outstanding leadership ability, community service and scholastic achievement, said Anne-Marie Wallace, chief of Child and Youth Programs during the ceremony.

Those who win at the installation level then go on to compete at the major command level, and the winners there are named the Air Force Youth of the Year.

“Each award recipient represents the best of the best,” said Wallace.

That recognition goes beyond the Air Force. “Certainly, you represent the best of not only Air Force youth, but I would say American youth,” said Air Force Lt. Gen Richard Newton, deputy chief of staff for Manpower and Personnel at Headquarters Air Force, who hosted the event.

Johnson was selected as the winner for the Air National Guard as a result of his time spent volunteering in his church and local community and for his status as a “rising high school senior.”

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