Special to the Enquirer  

Cadet Izen Thornton has been awarded the prestigious Amelia Earhart award of the Civil Air Patrol. Thornton is one of the original members of the Gen. “Fighting Joe” Wheeler Squadron in Hartselle, continuing with it since it formed in early 2018. Thornton has worked his way through all eight cadet enlisted ranks and two cadet officer ranks and has been promoted to cadet captain. The Earhart Award marks completion of Phase III of the CAP Cadet Program, recognizing sustained excellence in all four areas of cadet life: leadership, aerospace, fitness and character. Further, Earhart Award cadets must have passed comprehensive examinations on leadership and aerospace topics. This achievement puts Thornton in the top 3 percent of all cadets in the nation. Thornton is a sophomore at Hartselle High School and plans to pursue an appointment to the United States Air Force academy.