By Associated Press - Friday, May 29, 2015

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) - An Ohio native is the top graduating cadet this year at the Air Force Academy.

Rebecca Esselstein of Dayton has placed first among her graduating class of 840 cadets with a grade point average of 3.98, The Dayton Daily News reports (https://bit.ly/1Fck1o6 ). She graduated Thursday at the Colorado campus, having earned her bachelor’s degree in astronautical engineering.

The 22-year-old plans to study at the University of Oxford in England as one of 32 Americans selected as a Rhodes Scholar. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in astrophysics.



Esselstein, who was also valedictorian at her high school, says she wants to be an astronaut after she completes pilot training.

Copyright © 2026 The Washington Times, LLC.

Please read our comment policy before commenting.