2025 Winning Artwork:
- Selene K., “Flying on an Eagle,” Grade 2 • U.S. Army • First Place, Elementary School
- Ainsley M., “The Strength of the Dandelion,” Grade 4 • • U.S. Air Force • Second Place, Elementary School “My work is to show how helping our country can make you glow and shine. A lot of people who are in the military work very hard to help everyone stay safe. My dad is one of the people who work hard, and he inspired me to create it because he is strong, helpful, and kind and I will always love him.”
- Jordan M., “Mom and Me,” Grade 1 • U.S. Coast Guard • Third Place, Elementary School “Mom is in the U.S. Coast Guard. I also have a kids’ U.S. Coast Guard uniform that I like to wear to Coast Guard events.”
- Nolan J., “Water Helicopter,” Grade 2 • U.S. • Spotlight Winner, Elementary School “I made this because my dad used to go in a helicopter to pick up water.”
- Ayla F., “Difference,” Grade 8 • U.S. Navy (retired) • First Place, Middle School “I created this art to show not only the adversity of military kids but also the differences between them.”
- Iris L., “The Military Child I Came to Be,” Grade 7 • U.S. Air Force • Second Place, Middle School “I have never tried animating before and was inspired to try something new. I wanted to show my experience as a military kid who parent decided to serve later in life. I was 7 at the time and it was challenging for me and my family to transition from civilian life to a military one, which is a very different world. But my experiences shaped me to be a resilient person today, open to new experiences.” Click the video below to see Iris’ animation.
- Berkeley D., “Three Words,” Grade 8 • U.S. Air Force • Third Place, Middle School “I wanted to create common words that all military kids can relate to and feel at peace with. I wrote it for people who don’t understand to get a sense of the hardship. I want my words to bring people together under one roof of communities across the globe.
- Maia P., “Strong, Beautiful Dandelions,” Grade 8 • U.S. Army • Spotlight Winner, Middle School “Just like dandelions, military kids can grow and thrive anywhere. The children on the seeds display different emotions on how they feel about moving to a new place. In the end, they grow into strong, beautiful dandelions.”
- Breanna P., “Heroic and Historic,” Grade 11 • U.S. Coast Guard • First Place, High School “My artwork represents the great lengths the Coast Guard goes to help one another. It shows companionship and unity, highlighting the characteristics that make the Coast Guard what is is today. As a military kid, it’s important for me to learn the history about my branch and understand what it stands for. More importantly, it’s a great way to honor and thank all of the heroes that made this rescue possible.”
- Alexa V., “My Childhood, My Present, My Life” Grade 12 • U.S. Army • Second Place, High School “The two girls in my artwork are both me: on the left I was 5, and on the right is current me (16 years old). The drawings in the background portray challenges and opportunities. The difficulties: having to move, saying goodbye to friends, arriving to new schools, and having to move houses. The opportunities: I was able to see new and beautiful places and call them home, call friends even when I moved, and be able to say I’m part of the military family where my dad served this country for 21 years. I have a quote saying, “This isn’t a goodbye, this is a see you later.” Just because we move doesn’t mean we will lose contact with friends but rather stay in contact and possibly see each other again. Being a military child has come with its ups and downs, but I can never imagine myself living any other way.”
- Janiece M., “700,800,” Grade 12 • U.S. Air Force • Third Place, High School “Being a military kid means moving to different places, meeting new people. I was born in San Antonio, raised in Minot, North Dakota, and now live in Tampa, Florida. While I grew up in Minot, I’m not from there. This illustration represents my struggle with what state to consider home, just like other military kids, home is many different places. The clock at the top represents hours spent in North Dakata, 700,800 hours, equivalent to 8 years. I’m thankful that the military has given me the opportunity to experience different ways of living. I’m able to adjust to different challenges, and I’m always ready for change.”
- Ansley M., “Brother,” Grade 11 • U.S. Marines + U.S. Army • Spotlight Winner, High School “Both my father and older brother served in the military. My brother Tyler joined the Army when I was 4. Growing up his homecomings were what I looked forward to most. in this recreation of one of our pictures, I was 5 and he was 18.”
Iris L., “The Military Child I Came to Be,” Grade 7 • U.S. Air Force • Second Place, Middle School
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