2024 MCEC Global Training Summit Strong Foundation, Future Success

Military Child Champion Award

Introduced this year, the Military Child Champion Award honors outstanding contributions of time, talent, and resources that benefit military-connected children and their families, supporting MCEC’s vision to ensure every military-connected child is college-, work-, and life-ready. The award is presented in three categories: Corporate (awarded to USAA), Partner (awarded to Wounded Warrior Project), and Individual (awarded to General (Retired) Dennis J. Reimer, 33rd Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, and Mrs. Mary Jo Reimer, both of whom have been ardent supporters of MCEC’s cause since even before its inception).

“A tremendous amount of progress has been made in MCEC’s 26 years. I have been inspired by the young people who participate in MCEC programs that have come across this stage tonight. They have made a difference in their schools and with their families. They will make an even greater difference when they go out into the world.”

General (Retired) Dennis J. Reimer, former Chief of Staff of the Army

MCEC Call for the Arts

MCEC Call for the Arts joyfully celebrates the world as seen through the eyes of military kids. For 22 years, thousands of children from military families have shared their work, and we again received amazing art this year. From traditional colored pencil, charcoal, watercolor, and acrylic to collages and woven masterpieces, we were awed. We were inspired by poetry and essays, listened to original songs, enjoyed striking photography, and watched an animation that awakened our vagus nerve (if you saw Dr. Kimberly Dickman’s master class, you know what we’re talking about)!

Awards are given at the elementary, middle and high school level for first, second, and third place, plus a spotlight award. Winners were announced in May, and invited to attend the Global Training Summit.

High school spotlight winner Kyler performed his original song, “Combat Boots” during the Monday night opening gala to a crowd of over 600 attendees. Lucia’s ten-second silent animation was also played for guests, and celebrated as our first digital animation! We were delighted to welcome eight of our 12 winners to Washington, DC, and on Tuesday, July 30, each joined us on the main stage to be celebrated.

• We welcomed eight of the 12 Call for the Arts winners this year to the Global Training Summit. From left to right: Amaris, Aurora, Genevieve, Dandy Lion, Kyler, Claire, Jack, Annabelle, Dr. Becky Porter
• Jack, Aurora, and Lucia from the elementary school winners joined us on stage Tuesday morning and accepted congratulations and printed books featuring the art.
• Jack, first place winner, and his family traveled from Hawaii to join us in Washington, DC.
• Lucia won the spotlight award at the elementary level for her 10-second animation, “When Father Goes Away.”
• Annabelle, Claire, and Amaris from the middle school winners joined us on stage Tuesday morning and accepted congratulations and printed books featuring the art.
• Kyler won the spotlight award at the high school level for his original song, “Combat Boots.”
• Genevieve won third place at the high school level for her charcoal drawing, “Lost.”
• Genevieve and Kyler from the high school winners joined us on stage Tuesday morning and accepted congratulations and printed books featuring the art.
• Call for the Arts is one of Dandy and Dr. Porter’s favorite MCEC initiatives.
• Since 2002, thousands of military-connected children have shared their experiences, dreams, and challenges through MCEC Call for the Arts.
• “This picture has flowers from every place I’ve lived. It’s important to me to remember everywhere I’ve been that has made me who I am. I can bloom anywhere just like flowers bloom everywhere.” Aurora, grade 5, Alabama
• “The eagle is strong and a symbol of freedom. The military gives us freedom by protecting us. My dad serves in the military and protects our country, and this makes me feel like he is a hero for doing that.” Jack, grade 5, Hawaii
• “In my animation I try to show and express what I feel as a military child when my father (who is in the Army) goes away. He isn’t at home a lot, so I wanted to express that.” Lucia, grade 5, Texas
• “Every time I move it’s hard to say goodbye, so I wrote this poem about saying ‘see you later’.” Claire, grade 7, New Mexico
• “This collage shares military life from a child’s point of view. Military kids say goodbye more often in their first years than some people do in a lifetime. We take pride in our parents. No matter how far my mom goes for work, she always has time for me and my family.” Amaris, grade 7, Germany
• “As a military brat, I’ve moved to many places, and I’ve met tons of interesting people. I remember the scenic views and snowy winters of New York, the beautiful sunsets and dry climate of Texas, Route 66 in Oklahoma, the wheat fields in Kansas, and the nature of Alabama. I see all of these places as my home, and I’m thankful for the people I’ve met, and the places I’ve seen.” Annabelle, grade 8, Alabama
• Middle school spotlight winner Tymur’s art “Country at War” and high school third place winner Genevieve’s art “Lost” on display at the Global Training Summit.
• “When my dad was in the military, I was mentally drowning and felt like a lost soul from moving around so much.” Genevieve, grade 12, California
• Genevieve in front of her art, “Lost,” proudly displaying the art book featuring the winners’ art from the 2024 Call for the Arts.
• The lyrics to Kyler’s “Combat Boots” were on display for attendees to read, and a QR code enabled people to hear the original song on their phones.
• “If you ever go on base, you see and hear soldiers training. The sound of their combat boots hitting the ground wherever they are marching. I write this out of fear for my dad, whenever his is off fighting for us. I always hear those boots, whether it’s his or others.” Kyler, grade 9, Kentucky
• Kyler performing his original song, “Combat Boots” during the Global Training Summit opening gala event in Washington, DC.

Learn more about MCEC Call for the Arts.

The Military Children’s Dr. Mary M. Keller Award for Distinguished Contributions to Science

Established in 2019 by the MCEC Science Advisory Board, the intent of this award is to recognize researchers, clinicians and practitioners for significant contributions to science and the public’s understanding of military-connected youth.

Established in 2019 by the MCEC Science Advisory Board, the intent of this award is to recognize researchers, clinicians and practitioners for significant contributions to science and the public’s understanding of military-connected youth.

The 2024 recipient of the Military Children’s Dr. Mary M. Keller Award for Distinguished Contributions to Science is Dr. Abigail Gewirtz.

Presented by SAB Co-Chair COL (Ret.) Eric Flake, M.D., Dr. Gewirtz accepted the award through a video message on July 31, 2024. In her message, she shares:

“The MCEC Science Advisory Board deliberates in a measured and well-informed manner to identify the person to be honored each year. My heartiest congratulations go out to Dr. Gewirtz, and more than that, my appreciation for the work she does to help us all understand military families.”

Dr. Rebecca Porter, President and CEO of MCEC

LTG H.G. “Pete” Taylor Partnership of Excellence Awards

LTG H.G. “Pete” Taylor (retired) was one of the founders of MCEC – and a military parent, too. The award named in his honor recognizes successful partnerships and projects that reflect his belief that “goodness starts at the local level.” MCEC presents awards to deserving schools, installations, and individual program achievements at GTS. 

Presented by SEAC Troy E. Black and Mrs. Stacie Black, these awards recognized exceptional partnerships supporting military-connected children. The awards honored the following initiatives:

Semper Instructis – Florida

Individual Program/Project – Partners: Coast Guard Sector Key West, Monroe County School District, Sigsbee Charter School. Highlights: STEM-based Problem-Based Learning (PBL) curriculum supporting social-emotional needs, mentorship by service members, and activities improving mental wellness.

PreApprenticeship: Operation Future Force (OFF) – Alaska

Individual Program/Project – Partners: Eielson AFB, Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, Alaska Air National Guard 168th Air Guard, Ben Eielson Jr./Sr. High School, Anderson Crawford Elementary School. Highlights: Career exploration in various Air Force specialties with over 140 military squadron commanders mentoring high school students.

Count on Me – Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas

Community Partnership – Partners: Fort Cavazos, Columbus Air Force Base, Killeen Independent School District, Madison City Schools District, Temple Independent School District, Lowndes County School, Meadows Elementary School, Liberty Middle School, Caledonia Elementary School, Meridith-Dunbar Early Childhood Academy. Highlights: Initiatives like Read Across America and Family STEM Night, establishment of Free Little Libraries, and support for children facing health challenges.

Military-Connected Youth Process Action Team – Virginia

Community Partnership – Partners: Fort Belvoir, Fairfax County Public Schools, George Mason University, Military Veterans and Families Initiative at George Mason University. Highlights: Regular meetings identify needs and strategies ensuring positive experiences for military-connected youth.

Bay Area Education Alliance – Florida

Community Partnership – Partners: Naval Support Activity Panama City, Tyndall Air Force Base, Bay District Schools, Florida State University at Panama City, Gulf Coast State College, Collegiate High School at Florida State University. Highlights: Over 55 military-affiliated mentors contributed 2,500+ volunteer hours, recognized with 18 Purple Star Schools Awards, and engaged 300+ students with Military Honor Cords. Events like STEMFEST and Military Showcase highlight STEM career paths within the military.

“With the exception of parents, educators are the most influential individuals in our young people’s lives. They may even spend more time with them than parents because of how we provide our education.”

SEAC Troy E. Black

See more on the Pete Taylor Partnership of Excellence Awards.