Marine Corps Base Quantico -- Volunteerism, leadership and extraordinary patriotism are only a few of the achievements highlighted by the 90 semifinalists hoping to become one of six children awarded the 2016 Military Child of the Year Award chosen by Operation Homefront. Two of the semifinalists are the children of Marines stationed at Marine Corps Base Quantico.
Currently, Operation Homefront staff are working to choose the top finalist for this year’s Military Child of the Year. Military children from all over the U.S. and forward operating bases overseas are nominated by their friends and family to receive this annual scholarship. Judges choose the top students though a review of original essay submissions.
“Military children are resilient and demonstrate leadership skills within not only their families but also their communities. It is important to recognize and appreciate the sacrifices the youth of our nation’s heroes make on a daily basis,” said Jenny L. Valderas, Operation Homefront program manager. The nationwide nonprofit provides emergency and other financial assistance to the families of service members.
Many of the exceptional students face trials that are unique to military families such as deployments, frequent moves and school transitions. The eighth annual awards will recognize military children between the ages of eight and 18 to represent the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and National Guard. Among those recognized as semifinalists from MCBQ, who are now competing for the scholarships, are two young students Christian, 9, and Caitlyn, 14, who have entered for the first time.
Caitlyn’s mother Heather described her as a caring daughter who always tries to be her best self. From feeding the homeless to supporting the local Humane Society, she is inspired to help those in need within her community. Caitlyn demonstrated exceptional social responsibility through her support of the Humane Society in Detroit Lake, Minnesota.
“Supporting the Humane Society was something Caitlyn thought of all on her own. They were amazed at her vision,” said Heather as she described the vast donations received for Caitlyn’s charity from California, Florida, Texas and many other states. “Even if she doesn’t place as a finalist, it’s an honor to have made it this far.”
Semifinalist Christian has made it very far considering that he was diagnosed with a Wilms Tumor when he was two years old. A Wilms tumor is a tumor located in the kidneys and mostly affects children and rarely adults. Christian was treated for the condition at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in 2009, and has made four permanent change of station moves with his family to date.
According to his parents, at 3 years old Christian saw a sign for a cancer walk at the clinic and he wanted to go. For more than six years, the cancer-free military child has walked for St. Jude or Cure Search. To date, he has raised a little more than $20,000 for childhood cancer research.
“His passion is about reaching out and helping people. I truly believe it’s his experience as a military child that makes him so fearless,” said his mother Diana. “Christian deeply believes that, with research, a cure can be found and he has taken to social media to share the importance of awareness and funding research.”
This year’s competition was open to students starting October 2015. Winners are scheduled to be announced in March. Each finalist will be awarded $10,000, a laptop computer and other donated gifts at an awards gala in Washington, D.C., April 14. The Booz Allen Innovation award is an additional award for a military child who has designed a solution to address a local, regional or global challenge. It will be presented at the Military Child of the Year awards gala. Complete guidelines, instructions and application materials are available online at www.militarychildoftheyear.org.
— Writer: iirby@quanticosentryonline.com