SoRoCo HS student Graham Smith honored with Civil Air Patrol Award

April 23, 2026 Shannon Lukens

By Shannon Lukens for Steamboat Radio News. Cadet Captain Graham Smith (right) receives the Amelia Earhart Award from Major Kubitschek (left). Courtesy photos.

Cadet Captain Graham Smith has received the Amelia Earhart Award. Smith is a sophomore at SoRoCo High School and a member of the Steamboat Springs Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol. The award was presented by major Daniel Kubitschek who is the Colorado Wing Vice Commander for the Civil Air Patrol. The award puts Smith in the top 5% of cadets nationwide.

Cadet Captain Smith (middle) standing with his parents, David Smith (Left) and Lindsay Rocks (Right).

Major Kubitschek (Left) explains the Amelia Earhart award to guests and Civil Air Patrol members present.

Press Release from local Civil Air Patrol; April 22, 2026.

Local Civil Air Patrol cadet and highschooler earns Amelia Earhart award.

Cadet Captain Graham Smith of the Steamboat Springs Composite Squadron of Civil Air Patrol recently received the Amelia Earhart Award on Tuesday April 21st. This award was presented by Major Daniel Kubitschek, the Colorado Wing Vice Commander for CAP. This prestigious award places the cadet in the top 5% of cadets nationwide. The award marks the end of Phase III of the cadet program and the start of the final phase, Phase IV of the program. It promotes the cadet to the grade of Cadet Captain. The award is named after aerospace and civil rights activist Amelia Earhart. In order to receive this award, one must have passed a comprehensive closed-book exam on leadership, show good physical fitness, and maintain and show high leadership standards.

Cadet Captain Graham Smith is 15 and lives in South Routt County and is attending Soroco High School as a Sophomore. He has been in CAP for 3 and a half years and serves as the Steamboat Springs Composite Squadron Cadet Commander and the Colorado Wing Cadet Advisory Council Recorder. C/Capt Smith has attended two encampments, which are one-week-long military training-style environments, one as a staff member and one as a student. He will be attending the Rocky Mountain Region Cadet Leadership School, another encampment, and a National Cadet Special Activity called Medical Orientation and Training School this summer. He is also a student pilot learning to fly gliders with the Steamboat Springs Soaring Association.

Cadet Captain Smith says: “Not only has this shown me how much I have done, but also what I am capable of and have yet to achieve. I hope it inspires other people to get out and serve in their community and show what they are capable of.”

The Civil Air Patrol is a non-profit and the Civilian Auxiliary of the United States Air Force, and is all volunteer. Founded in 1941, shortly before Pearl Harbor, CAP has been serving the nation for 85 years. It has three different missions: cadet programs, emergency services, and aerospace education. Their mission statement is “Volunteers Serving America’s Communities, Saving Lives, and Shaping Futures.”

Anyone who wants to learn more about Civil Air Patrol is encouraged to go to gocivilairpatrol.com.