Blacks in Government recognizes Eglin NCO Published Dec. 22, 2006 By 1st Lt. Alyson Stockton 96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The idea that all people should hold themselves to a standard of continuous advancement and improvement is one that many organizations strive to embody -- especially the Air Force. For her work in promoting those values, Master Sgt. Angela Kennedy was awarded the Blacks in Government Meritorious Service award at the Air Force level for 2006. "This impressive senior noncommissioned officer always makes sure she is focused on the advancement of not only herself but of other African Americans," the nomination package said. "She can always be found highlighting how far her heritage has progressed and encourages all to maximize the opportunities to excel." For Sergeant Kennedy, a career logistician currently serving on the 96th Air Base Wing Commander's Action Group, continuous advancement means completing her bachelor's degree in two more semesters, then beginning a master's program in Operations Management. It means giving her time, money and energy to help others do the same. More than $2,500 has been raised for four high school graduates to pursue higher education through a scholarship fund she and her mother established in memory of her sister. The 22-year Air Force veteran volunteered her time as a guest speaker and youth camp counselor near her hometown of Melbourne, Fla., teaching and mentoring 48 teenagers. Sergeant Kennedy thanks Maj. Raymond Cirasa, her former commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Reginald Washington, her chief enlisted manager, for the nomination. "When we found out I won, you'd have thought they won," she said. "They were smiling for a whole week." She said her mother is by far the person who is most proud of her for winning the award, and in fact, she probably wouldn't have submitted her nomination if not for her mother's encouragement. Her mother is responsible for developing the traits in Sergeant Kennedy that led to her recognition by Blacks in Government. Although she describes herself as shy and introverted, Sergeant Kennedy said her mother pushed her to be a youth ambassador and begin speaking publicly at the age of 6. She's been continuing in that vein ever since and said she always knew she would wind up in a career that involved public speaking and teaching. Likewise, her mother developed in her a desire to help others through volunteer work. "You didn't just sit around," Sergeant Kennedy said about her free time when she was growing up. "You always had to go do something to help somebody else out." Sergeant Kennedy received the award at the annual Blacks in Government convention in New York City in August. Until a new recipient is named next year, she said she feels her job is to continue to be a good ambassador for the Air Force while getting more involved with Blacks in Government, and of course, to get better every day.