BHS alum graduates from U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs

A member of the Blaine High School (BHS) Class of 2012 recently graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy, earning a bachelor of science degree in systems engineering – human factors.

Stefawn Perrin, 26, was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Air Force following a graduation ceremony that took place on April 18 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The ceremony featured a commencement address by U.S. vice president Mike Pence and a fly-over by the Thunderbirds squadron of fighter jets.

During the ceremony, which was originally scheduled to take place on May 28, cadets marched or sat at least six feet apart from each other. The event was live-streamed to friends and family members like Perrin’s parents, Fuzz and Patty Perrin, who were not allowed to attend the ceremony at Falcon Stadium in person. At the end of the ceremony, 967 new officers including Perrin hurled their caps high into the air.

“We actually got the vice president to come – that was incredible,” Perrin said. “It was something that was very memorable. We had to sit eight feet apart, and had to wear masks at the end. It’s a tradition that the Thunderbirds fly over, and we actually got the opportunity for them to fly over. It was incredible because we got to graduate. With everything happening with COVID, it’s been tough on the whole nation. For our leadership to actually let us do that, following all CDC guidelines, was something that was remarkable.”

After graduating from BHS in 2012, Perrin spent a year at Skagit Valley College before enlisting in the Air Force at the end of 2013. She worked in the Air Force’s security division as an Air Force cop, including in Minot, North Dakota where she moved at the beginning of 2014.

While sitting in the gym in Minot one day, Perrin decided to apply to the prestigious Air Force Academy. She had started, but not completed, an application to the academy during her junior year at BHS. In addition to serving her country, she wanted to be the first person in her family to graduate from a four-year college.

“In the first place, I’m a big family person, so I did it for my future family and for my family now to have someone to look up to,” she said. “I really wanted to serve. I really wanted to protect my country.”

After applying, Perrin spent a year in preparatory school on the Air Force Academy campus in Colorado from 2015 to 2016, studying math, English, the sciences and “everything that could get you prepared for the higher level of the academy,” she said.

Perrin began her studies at the academy in 2016, wearing a uniform to school every day. In addition to classes on Monday through Friday, she participated in military trainings on Saturdays. Her studies also included an emphasis on physical fitness with mandatory PE classes.

Perrin is now on a two-month break, which she is spending in Colorado hanging out with friends and staying fit. She will then attend training in Pensacola, Florida where she will learn how to be a combat systems officer. This flight role involves overseeing navigation, electronic warfare and weapons systems.

“It’s everything in the aircraft that the pilot doesn’t do,” Perrin said. “I have never been in a fighter jet but I hope to. I will just take it from here and see how it goes.”

Perrin, who turned 26 a day after her graduation ceremony, said that she tries to return to Blaine once a year if possible. “It’s the people,” she said. “I still keep in contact with some of my mentors, including my old basketball coach and a secretary at BHS. They helped me out and got me to where I am today. Blaine in general is a great place to come from, honestly.”