WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- Second Lt. Delavane Diaz was named the British Air Squadron’s 2004 Cadet of the Year during an April 28 ceremony at the Pentagon.

Lieutenant Diaz was honored for her performance as a cadet while enrolled at the U.S. Air Force Academy. The award was established in 2000 by the private British Air Squadron organization in tribute to the U.S. military’s support of the United Kingdom.

At the academy, she was a cadet wing commander, NCAA athlete, Academic All-American and Rhodes scholar. As cadet wing commander, she commanded more than 4,000 cadets and is the second female cadet wing commander in academy history.

Lieutenant Diaz graduated with a 3.95 grade point average and received a degree in astronautical engineering. She is pursuing two masters' degrees at Oxford University.

Recipients of the award receive the Millennium Sword, which is kept on permanent display in the Pentagon. The sword is a symbol of the enduring British-American friendship.

Lieutenant Diaz is the fifth recipient of the award.