West Virginia University student Erika Henry has been selected Outstanding Airman of the Year by West Virginias Air National Guard.The sophomore political science major was selected from 600 candidates statewide and now will vie with 25,000 people in the national contest.

Candidates for Outstanding Airman of the Year were judged in five categories: leadership, job performance, significant self improvement activities, military or civilian awards and representation in the community.

Henry, a South Charleston native, serves as a personnel specialist in the 130th mission support flight unit based in Charleston.Besides her regular duties of making identification cards and emergency identification cards and advising members about life insurance plans, Henry worked as a recruiter at the West Virginia State Fair and as a counselor at the West Virginia National Guard Kids Camp.

She joined the Air National Guard just one year ago.The 100 percent tuition payment was a big draw for me,she said.And it was just a challenge.

Captain Mike Cadle, commander of the 130th mission support flight unit, praised Henry for her service and described the honor as one of the highest awards granted in the Air National Guard.

I was very surprised,said Henry of her Outstanding Airman of the Year selection.I didnt have any idea that I had been nominated, so when they announced it at Saturday roll call I was shocked.

A 1998 graduate of South Charleston High School, Henry is the daughter ofDebra Henry of South Charleston and Charlie Henry of Charleston, S.C.