Dorm excellence competition winners announced

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Nora Anton
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Eielson's nine dormitories were evaluated during a dormitory excellence competition Dec. 20 and 21 with prizes and money awarded to the winners-$3,000 for first place, $2,000 for second place and $1,000 for third place.

The purpose of the dorm competition is assessing squadron pride and readiness, overall cleanliness of the dorms themselves, to grant a single dorm room of the quarter and to enhance the quality of life for Eielson's single Airmen.

"Dorm inspections and competitions allow wing leadership to assess how facilities are fairing and what areas need to be worked on," said Master Sgt. Robert Gunning, 354th Services Squadron and 354th Mission Support Squadron first sergeant.

"Also by doing dorm excellence competitions, the dorm residents have an opportunity to display their pride in work and their living area--it also boosts squadron and dormitory pride," the first sergeant of the first and second place dormitories said.

By doing two rounds of inspections, the first with one commander, one company grade officer, one chief, two senior non-commissioned officers and one first sergeant; the second conducted by the 354th Fighter Wing commander and wing command chief, the team used a standardized list of criteria to rate the dormitories.

Capt. Lee Jeffords, 354th Mission Support Squadron military personnel flight chief of customer support, was a dormitory inspector during the preliminary look, and commended all Airmen on the effort put into the dorms.

"I was impressed at the amount of effort, care and pride that went into the dorms--not only by the dorm councils but also the units," he said.

Based on the criterion that was being evaluated, he said it is apparent who is being a good steward of their living quarters, regardless of how old or new the dormitory is.

"The personal touches and pride added to each dorm and room inspected were awesome--the Airmen are really creating a home during their tour here," he said.

On Jan. 4 the winners of the dormitory competition were announced: Dormitory 2353, housing single Airmen from the 354th Medical Group, 354th Operations Squadron, 354th Services Squadron, 354th Comptroller Squadron and Detachment 460 won first place.

Dormitory 2333, housing Airmen from the 354th Mission Support Squadron and 354th Communications Squadron, won second place. Dormitory 2315, housing Airmen from the 354th Civil Engineer Squadron won third place.

The room of the quarter was won by Airman 1st Class Stephanie Fankhauser, 354th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. Runners-up were Senior Airman Anthony Zumpano-Erday, 354th OSS, and Airman 1st Class Aaron Puuri, 354th CES.

"We often have to make the best of less than favorable situations and it was clear that the residents, supervisors, shirts and squadron members were involved to make the dorms the best they could be," said Captain Jeffords.