The Journal

Kristine Candelaria graduated on Dec. 9 from the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard at the Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C.

She received the physical fitness award for performing in the 99.9 percentile of her class and had been bestowed the duty of airman leader, which is given to airmen who demonstrate exemplary leadership skills.

Her first official duty was to serve at Presidential Donald Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20.

Candelaria completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio on Oct. 7. During basic training, she was appointed element leader of her flight and graduated in the top 10 percent among more than 900 airmen, earning honor grad status.

She is a 2016 graduate of Montezuma-Cortez High School.