First Place
Jack C., “Eagle”
Grade 5, Kailua, Hawaii
U.S. Air Force
Annabelle J., “Invisible Strings”
Grade 8, Madison, Alabama
U.S. Army
Charity D., “Cuddys”
Grade 11, Marrero, Louisiana
U.S. Navy
Second Place
Aurora B. “Flowers”
Grade 5, New Brockton, Alabama
U.S. Army
Amaris C., “POV”
Grade 7, Vilseck, Germany
U.S. Army
Natalie P., “Freedom Flyers”
Grade 12, Pikeville, North Carolina
U.S. Air Force
Third Place
Magnolia S., “Air Drop”
Grade 5, Sherwood, Arkansas
U.S. Air Force
Claire P., “See You Later!”
Grade 7, Albuquerque, New Mexico
U.S. Air Force
Genevieve F., “Lost”
Grade 12, Anaheim, California
U.S. Coast Guard
Artist Spotlight
Lucia C., “When Father Goes Away”
Grade 5, Killeen, Texas
U.S. Army
Tymur R., “Country at War”
Grade 7, Ankara, Turkey
Joint Forces
Kyler F., “Combat Boots”
Grade 9, Fort Campbell, Kentucky
U.S. Army
View the gallery of all our winners below!
2024 Winning Artwork:
- Jack C., “Eagle” Grade 5 • Hawaii • U.S. Air Force • First Place, Elementary School “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.”
- Aurora B., “Flowers” Grade 5 • Alabama • U.S. Army • Second Place, Elementary School “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.”
- Magnolia S., “Air Drop” Grade 5 • Arkansas • U.S. Air Force • Third Place, Elementary School “It is never easy being away from my dad. My school, friends, and military community continue to help us and love us. When my dad is helping people around the world with his C130, our friends and family help us at home.”
- Annabelle J., “Invisible Strings” Grade 8 • Alabama • U.S. Army • First Place, Middle School “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.”
- Amaris C., “POV” Grade 7 • Germany, U.S. Army • Second Place, Middle School “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.”
- Tymur R., “Country at War” Grade 7 • Turkey • Joint Forces • Spotlight Winner, Middle School “For inspiration, I used my experiences and frustrations in Ukraine during the war. I created this to show how a child whose country is at war feels.”
- Charity D., “Cuddys” Grade 11 • Louisiana • U.S. Navy • First Place, High School “Both my grandfathers served in the Navy. I live in New Orleans and my favorite place to visit in my free time is the World War II Museum. Visiting the World War II Museum always inspires me to come home and draw things that interest me, so with that I choose to do a piece on Susan Ahn Cuddy with her brothers that also served during World War II.”
- Natalie P., “Freedom Flyers” Grade 12 • North Carolina • U.S. Air Force • Second Place, High School “As a military child, the Blue Angels have always held a special place in my heart. I grew up in the Florida Panhandle and have enjoyed watching the fighter jets from a young age. I was inspired by the extraordinary view of the Blue Angels soaring above the Emerald Coast, a symbol of skill and bravery.”
- Genevieve F., “Lost” Grade 12 • California • U.S. Coast Guard • Third Place, High School “When my dad was in the military, I was mentally drowning and felt like a lost soul from moving around so much.”
“When Father Goes Away”
Lucia C., Grade 5 • Texas • U.S. Army • Spotlight Winner, Elementary School
“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.”
“Combat Boots”
Kyler F., Grade 9 • Kentucky • U.S. Army • Spotlight Winner, High School
“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.”
“See You Later!”
Claire P., Grade 7 • New Mexico • U.S. Air Force • Third Place, Middle School
Moving.
Once again,
I should be used to it by now.
But I’m not.
It still hurts.
Every time,
Goodbye.
It stings.
Goodbye.
Wishing it would stop.
See you later!
That’s better.
See you later!
I can get used to that.
This time,
I’ll tell everybody,
See you later!
Have a Question? Ask a MSC!
Our Military Student Consultant is the portal for all questions student and parent related. Click on the button below to submit your question. We will always do our best to get back to you within 24 hours!