MEDWAY – A Schenck High School senior whose patriotic walk through the Katahdin region inspired many people after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks has received a top award from the Civil Air Patrol.

Adam Thompson, 18, of Medway on Wednesday was presented with one of the CAP’s top awards, the Brig. Gen. Billy Mitchell Award, during a ceremony at the U.S. Air National Guard base in Bangor.

The 60-year-old Civil Air Patrol is the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. Its mission is to provide aerospace education, emergency services and disaster relief for those in distress and offers a cadet program.

In Maine, about 200 young people ages 12 through 21 are participating in the CAP’s cadet program, which has nine squadrons located throughout the state.

Terry Dauphinee, deputy commander of the cadet program for the Bangor-Brewer Composite Squadron, said young people really have to work hard to earn the Mitchell award. “There is a lot of work they have to do,” he said. “[Thompson] has earned it. He has worked hard and has proven himself.”

Three years ago, Thompson gave up junior varsity basketball to attend a ground school flight-training program. One visit to the Air National Guard base in Bangor is all it took for Thompson to become a member of the CAP’s cadet program.

“The military aspect didn’t get to me at first,” recalled Thompson. But soon his goal of becoming a military pilot changed. He really liked the military aspect of the cadet program and decided he wanted to become a military leader. Today, Thompson is a cadet commander.

The young Medway man admits the program is tough but says he would do it all over again. “It matured me,” he said. “It taught me self-discipline and to respect others. It taught me pride in my country and in myself. It turned me into a mature, responsible person.”

Thompson showed his pride along with several friends by walking through Millinocket, East Millinocket, Medway and Lincoln carrying a large American flag in the days following Sept. 11.

Thompson said being a cadet commander is a lot of work and responsibility. “My job is to teach and train young people to become leaders for the future whether they join the military after high school or not,” he said.

Thompson said he highly recommends the cadet program. He described it as an activity that can keep young people out of trouble. “It teaches a lot of values,” he said. “I have learned more about myself as a leader and as a human being.”

Thompson said the cadet program offers young people a chance to explore many different areas. He said local activities for cadets include survival training, search and rescue, leadership training, radio communications, model rocketry, flight training, public speaking, physical fitness and more.

When Thompson graduates from Schenck in June, he will enter the Air Force. He plans to become a crew chief responsible for all aircraft maintenance.

Having earned the Mitchell award, Thompson will start his Air Force career at the grade of E-3, or airman first class.

Dauphinee, who also is a CAP captain, said the cadet program offers young people an opportunity to learn about self-discipline, respect, honesty and integrity. He said cadets are exposed to a structured military-based program of aerospace education, leadership, physical fitness and moral and ethical values.