Ilion woman cadet an Academy 'first'
ILION - Carol Ann Ptasznik's childhood dream of flying has proven to be no fantasy of flight.
Ptasznik, 22, of 210 John St. will become the first woman in Herkimer County's history to graduate from the Air Force Academy this week.
Graduation ceremonies are scheduled for Wednesday.
To mark the event, there will be a special assembly at the Ilion High School on June 11. The Herkimer County Legislature also has proclaimed June 11 as Carol's "day" in the county and the Ilion Village Board will also issue a proclamation.
Following her graduation ceremonies, Ptasznik will be assigned, to Mather Air Force Base, near Sacramento, where she will undergo a year's training in navigation.
"I just always wanted to fly -- to be a pilot," Ptasznik said in an interview.
Ptasznik, valedictorian of the Class of 1982 at Ilion High School, had opportunities to to attend other colleges but she never wavered in her desire to attend the academy in Colorado Springs.
Retired Air Force Col. Bart Shelley of Ilion, who interviewed Ptasznik for her appointment four years ago, recalled that "it was one of the most difficult interviews I ever had."
He said Ptasznik had obvious qualities, but was modest about herself and her many accomplishments.
In high school, she was president of the Honor Society, won RPI (Rensselaer Polytechnic-Institute) medals for excellence in math and science; Bausch and Lomb Medal, and was selected "student of the year."
"The thing they like about her out there is that she always has a smile," Shelley said. "She's painstaking conscientious, persevering, dedicated ... she's just a fine kid.
Shelley said several women from Herkimer County have gone to the Air Force Academy, but he said
Ptasznik is the first to make it through the rigorous course.
In fact, Ptasznik said, it took two years before she felt comfortable at the academy.
Of an entering class of 1,500. she said about 900 will graduate. Of those, there are about 90 women, she said.
