22nd AMDS member earns spotlight performer

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Laura L. Valentine
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  As a spotlight performer, individuals are chosen by leadership for demonstrating one or more of the 22nd ARW commander's intents: Foster a culture of excellence ... Develop the next generation of leaders ... Set and achieve goals.

Airman 1st Class La'Gail Douglas, 22nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron services technician, achieved the commander's intent of "setting and achieving goals." Setting a personal goal to be more involved among her peers, she endeavored to be selected and serve on the Airman's Council executive board. Since serving on the board, she has led three fundraisers and amassed more than $600. Douglas is also achieving her personal education goals by working towards her bachelor's degree in computer science at Wichita State University, Wichita, Kan. She is currently taking two classes and has a cumulative 3.3 grade point average.

Douglas has been in the Air Force for more than 2 years and has been stationed at McConnell for one year and seven months. The Kansas City, Mo., native's hobbies include studying and practicing the skills needed to complete her educational goal.

Who is the most positive influence in your life and why?
It's hard to select just one person as a positive influence in my life. The phrase "it takes a village to raise a child," is the best way to describe it. There are many people I look to as positive influences - some in the military, some not - but they all have knowledge beyond my years and they push me to be better, even when I am at wits end.

What would you like to accomplish during your Air Force career?
I want to become an officer after completing my Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Computer Engineering.

Where is the most interesting place you have traveled and why do you feel that way?
I haven't traveled too much since I've been in the military, but I would say Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., was the most interesting. I'm from Missouri and have never traveled outside of the Midwest. It was fun to see a state I've never been before. Although I was only there for training and didn't get to go out much, it was still fun exploring the city and walking the strip. That city truly never sleeps!

What is your favorite book/ movie and why?
My favorite book is "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," by Stephen R. Covey. A friend told me about this book years ago and it basically tells you be proactive instead of reactive as well as explaining good ways to deal with situations, whether it is with a family member, friend and or co-worker. Using the skills taught in the book is the hardest part because reading about something and doing it are completely different, especially when you are put in a tough situation. I recommend the book for any and every one.

If you have the opportunity to meet anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
There are a lot of people I would like to have met, but the majority of them are deceased. For example, Rosa Parks, W.E.B. DuBois, Malcolm X and George Washington Carver. These individuals have all done something that changed the world one way or another, even when all odds were against them. That's a motivating factor which keeps me going - knowing that if they made a change, why can't I. If I had to choose someone still living, I would like to meet Michelle Obama. She is very educated and though everyone knows her as the president's wife, she graduated from Princeton University and Harvard University, something I find very impressive. Just a simple conversation about what drove her to her successes would be highlight of my life.