Farmington Resident Graduates From U.S. Air Force Academy

Blake Abrecht of Farmington graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy on May 28 as the No. 1 cadet in academic performance and as the outstanding graduate in systems engineering.

Abrecht was the 2010 Farmington High valedictorian. He is the son of Derric and Marcey Abrecht of Farmington.

Abrecht was the No. 6 Air Force Academy graduate in overall standing, which combines three rankings: academic, military and athletic. He was a member of the Mighty Mach One, Cadet Squadron 1. With this ranking, he was the sixth cadet to receive his Academy diploma.

Abrecht received a bronze eagle award for his outstanding achievements and also will receive the Anthony Riggan Memorial Award from the Parents’ Association of Arkansas for Outstanding Performance in all aspects of Cadet Life.

Abrecht was recognized on June 7 by U.S. Congressman Steve Womack at the 2014 Academy Send-Off at Lake Fort State Park. He was presented with an American flag that was flown over the nation’s Capital in Washington, D.C., on the day of his graduation.

Abrecht was commis- sioned as a second lieutenant into the U.S. Air Force on May 27 by his brother, 1st Lt. Evan Abrecht, a 2012 AF Academy graduate and a 2008 Farmington High graduate.

Abrecht will attend graduate school as a Draper Lab Fellow at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the Engineering Systems Division for his first assignment in the Air Force. He reports to Cambridge in August.

After completing graduate school in two years, Abrecht will report to Wichita Falls, Texas, for Euro-Nato Joint Jet Pilot Training.

COURTESY PHOTO Cadet Blake Abrecht of Farmington is congratulated by U.S. Vice President Joe Biden during the graduation ceremony May 28 at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Abrecht graduated as the #1 cadet in academic performance. He was the valedictorian for Farmington...