Military Kids Capture Life Through International Art Contest: Winners Announced

HARKER HEIGHTS, TX, May 23, 2023 — The Military Child Education Coalition’s (MCEC) 2023 Call for the Arts featured entries from across the globe and every branch of service. Hundreds of military-connected kids creatively expressed their strength, bravery, pride, and community. 

“We are excited to celebrate the artistic talent and creativity of our military-connected children. For the past 21 years, thousands of children from our military families have shared their work and we received amazing art again this year.  Congratulations to our winners and thank you to everyone who participated,” said Dr. Becky Porter, MCEC President and CEO. 

Thanks to a partnership with Kellogg’s, and working through the Defense Commissary Agency and the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) branches across the country, the 21st Annual MCEC Call for the Arts was fortified by another brand that serves millions of families around the world: Kellogg’s. In celebration of Month of the Military Child, Kellogg’s supported a concurrent art contest, hosted by DeCA commissaries and AAFES Exchanges on military installations. Entries to the Kellogg contest were also considered for MCEC’s Call for the Arts. 

Prizes were awarded to elementary (K-5), middle (6-8), and high school (9-12) levels for first, second, and third place, along with a spotlight award for each category. All winners received an invitation to attend the MCEC Global Training Summit in Washington, DC, to be held July 24-26, 2023, where their art will be displayed. 

The 2023 Call for the Arts winners are: 

First Place

Everleigh M., “Peace, Hope, and Military Kids” 

Grade 2, Cache Intermediate School, Fort Sill, OK (Army) 

McKenna G., “The Tale of Two Lives” 

Grade 7, North Middle School, Great Falls, MT (Air Force – Veteran) 

Gabriel C., “Worth Defending” 

Grade 12, Rockbridge Academy, Naval Station Annapolis, MD (Navy) 

Second Place

Isaac B., “Navy V-22 Osprey” 

Grade 4, Village Elementary School, North Island Naval Air Station, CA (Navy) 

Katie M., “Heart in Hands” 

Grade 7, Homeschool, Dayton, OH (Air Force) 

Reagan U., “Until She Comes Home” 

Grade 11, Flour Bluff High School, Corpus Christi, TX (Navy) 

Third Place 

Lucy M., “Proud Coast Guard Family” 

Grade 1, McGaugh Elementary, U.S. Coast Guard Station, CA (Coast Guard) 

Alyssa T., “Insert Freedom” 

Grade 8, Homeschool, Kaneohe Bay, HI (Marines) 

Ashley W., “Favorite Places” 

Grade 10, Liberty University Online Academy (Homeschool), Hill Park, OK (Air Force – Veteran) 

Spotlight Winners 

Annabelle C., “All My Favorite Things” 

Grade 2, Grafenwoehr Elementary School, Grafenwoehr, Germany (Army) 

Lucy K., “#LifeOfAMilitaryKid”  

Grade 7, Horace O’Bryant Middle School, Naval Air Station Key West, FL (Navy) 

Asha A., “Journey”  

Grade 11, Pine Creek High School, Colorado Springs, CO (Space Force) 

Many thanks to these amazing young artists and performers for sharing their heartfelt stories and experiences. All artwork received is eligible for use in MCEC annual calendars, art displays, and campaigns throughout the year. 

The next MCEC Call for the Arts contest will open in early 2024. View a gallery of winners on our website at https://militarychild.org/programs/the-call-for-the-arts. 

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About the Military Child Education Coalition 
MCEC is a 501(c)(3) global nonprofit leadership and advocacy organization. MCEC supports all military-connected children by educating, advocating, and collaborating to resolve education challenges associated with the military lifestyle. Learn more about the national advocacy efforts of MCEC at MilitaryChild.org and on social media at Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. 

  

Media Contact: Karen Kirk, Director of Marketing 

Military Child Education Coalition 

[o] 254.953.1923 ext. 1123 

Karen.Kirk@MilitaryChild.org 

www.MilitaryChild.org