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Louisiana Member Receives Spaatz Award from Supreme Court's Barrett
Capt. Andrew Aceves of the Louisiana Wing’s St. Tammany Composite Squadron received his Gen. Carl A. Spaatz Award, Civil Air Patrol’s top cadet honor Feb. 21 in the nation’s capital from U.S. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett.
Since joining the St.Tammany squadron in 2017, Aceves has held various leadership positions, from flight sergeant to cadet commander. He participated in the squadron color guard, has sung the national anthem at many public events, and started a small choir in the squadron.
In 2019, Aceves was selected to attend Cadet Officer School, where he learned to work with a team of other cadet officers to lead at the executive and strategic levels. He was also selected to participate in National Blue Beret in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
In addition to working with cadets in the local squadron, he served as an instructor, training cadets at many Louisiana Wing academies. He was selected to serve as cadet commander at the Louisiana Wing Encampment in 2021 and awarded a Louisiana Wing Commander’s Commendation for his service. 
Aceves served as flight commander at National Blue Beret, was an instructor at two Southwest Region Cadet Leadership Schools, was elected to chair the Louisiana Wing and Southwest Region cadet advisory councils, and served as the Southwest Region’s primary representative on the National Cadet Advisory Council.
Other awards conferred on Aceves include two Region Commander's Commendations, a Louisiana Wing Commander’s Commendation, Louisiana Wing Cadet of the Year 2020, and 2020 Veterans of Foreign Wars Squadron Cadet Officer of the Year.
Aceves credits his success to early goal-setting, careful time management, and project planning. He was first drawn to CAP’s leadership training, character development, and service to the nation, he said.
Aceves expects to graduate from Louisiana State University in August, where he is pursuing a double major — bachelors’ in vocal performance and church music. 
In consideration of his many achievements and involvement in community events, Mandeville Mayor Donald J. Villere proclaimed April 20, 2018, as “Andrew Aceves Day.”
The Spaatz award is CAP’s highest cadet honor. Cadets qualify for the honor after an average of four years progressing through the 16 achievements in the CAP cadet program. The Spaatz award goes to cadets who have demonstrated excellence in leadership, character, fitness, and aerospace education.
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1st Lt. Anne Calvert
Public Affairs Officer
Louisiana Wing