COCOLALLA — Cocolalla couple Dave and Lynda Townsend celebrated a family member's impressive accomplishments this spring. Their granddaughter, Melaine Valentin, completed four years at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., and earned her commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. She was one of 827 in the class of 2016, and one among just 185 women.

Valentin, who is from Huntington Beach, Calif., has several relatives in the area south of Sandpoint, including: Allen and Karen Myers Townsend of Cocolalla, her aunt and uncle; David and Deven Townsend, also of Cocolalla; Doug and Carrie Myers Townsend of Sagle; and Brent and Kim Townsend of Post Falls. Wayne Townsend, another uncle who lived in Alabama, passed away in 2015.

"My uncle, my mentor, my hero. Sgt. Harrison Wayne Meyers III, U.S. Army. You will always be my first salute. Hooah," said Valentin in her graduation book.

The newly commissioned Air Force officer attended Calvary Chapel High School in Santa Ana, Calif., where she excelled academically. She earned the CCHS Presidential Award for students with a 4.0 GPA and above.

She also won an Outstanding Student Award for her work in AP studio art. She received an academic scholarship to attend the academy.

Valentin credits her mother, father and younger brother with giving her the support she needed while at the academy.

"The care you hold for me bubbles over into everything you do, and it is that love which has supported me each and every day at the academy, whether I knew it or not ... I am so incredibly blessed to have you," she said in her graduation book.

Valentin's brother, Mitch, graduated this spring from CCHS, so her grandparents, Uncle Doug and Uncle Allen had two commencements to celebrate when they traveled south.

"She was in the top of her class and a platoon leader," said her grandfather Dave Townsend. She earned a bachelor's degree in history and science. Before she went (to the academy), she already knew how to break down a gun blindfolded." 

Valentin now plans to train as an Air Force pilot on various planes, he said.