Semi-finalists Announced for 2014 Military Child of the Year® Award

Deserving Young Patriots Will Win $5,000

SAN ANTONIO, Jan. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Operation Homefront today announced the 156 semi-finalists – representing all five service branches – for the 2014 Military Child of the Year® Award.  2014 marks the sixth year that Operation Homefront has presented the award, which will be given to one outstanding military child from each branch of Service: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110623/DC25541LOGO)

Each semi-finalist will be interviewed by Operation Homefront staff, and award recipients will be chosen by a committee including active-duty and retired military personnel, spouses of senior military leaders, veterans service organization leadership, teachers, and community members. 

The recipient of the Military Child of the Year® Award for each branch of Service will be announced in March.  Each award recipient will receive $5,000 and will be flown with a parent or guardian to Washington, D.C. for a special recognition ceremony on April 10, 2014.   

Ideal candidates for the Military Child of the Year® Award demonstrate resilience and strength of character, and thrive in the face of the challenges of military life.  They demonstrate leadership within their families and within their communities.

"No one group makes a greater sacrifice of service than the children of those who choose to serve their country," said Jim Knotts, President & CEO of Operation Homefront. "Our Military Child of the Year® Award honors those young patriots who overcome the challenges presented by deployments and relocations, who set an example for others to emulate in their communities through leadership, resilience, and a commitment to excellence in all that they do."

This year's semi-finalists are a reflection of the diversity inherent through military service, representing 26 states, Puerto Rico, and and five overseas locations.  Following are the semi-finalists for the 2014 Military Child of the Year® Award.

AIR FORCE
Hannah B. – Age 17 – Fort Belvoir, Va.

Jamal B. – Age 15 – Bitburg Airbase, Germany

Abby B. – Age 17 – Warner Robins, Ga.

Oriana C. – Age 8 – Sanford, N.C.

Meaghan C. – Age 10 – Feltwell, United Kingdom

Gage D. – Age 17 – Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska

Roberto D. – Age 18 – Roseville, Calif.

Zoe D. – Age 12 – Tucson, Ariz.

Tasha D. – Age 17 – Panama City, Fla.

James F. – Age 18 – Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska

Hunter J. – Age 13 – Universal City, Texas

Zachary L. – Age 12 – Vienna, Va.

Nicole L. – Age 15 – Warner Robins, Ga.

Holden M. – Age 12 – Spangdahlem Air Force Base, Germany

Ronald M. – Age 17 – Spanaway, Wash.

Mattie P. – Age 16 – Goldsboro, N.C.

Karrington P. – Age 13 – Sahuarita, N.M.

Grace R. – Age 9 – Ramstein Air Force Base, Germany

Candace R. – Age 17 – Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska

Karalynn S. – Age 17 – Beale Air Force Base, Calif.

Mallory S. - Age 8 - Box Elder, S.D.

Rebecca S. – Age 17 – Manassas, Va.

Soliel S. – Age 17 – Oak Harbor, Wash.

Caylin T. – Age 8 – Tucson, Ariz.

Montianna T. – Age 15 – Tucson, Ariz.

Leilani T. – Age 17 – Dumfries, Va.

Kade U. – Age 15 – Dayton, Ohio

Elizabeth V. – Age 18 – Huntsville, Ala.

Derrick W. – Age 14 – Poquoson, Va.

Jeffrey W. – Age 17 – Herndon, Va.

Jessica W. – Age 14 – Andrews Air Force Base, Md.

Haley W. – Age 12 – O'Fallon, Ill.

Zachary W. – Age 15 – Scott Air Force Base, Ill.

ARMY
Tony B. – Age 18 – Fort Knox, Ky.

Zachary B – Age 10 – Wahiawa, Hawaii

Vanessa C. – Age 16 – Colleyville, Texas

Angelyse C. – Age 9 – Pineville, N.C.

Alyssa C. – Age 13 – Fort Hood, Texas

Alana D. – Age 16 – Kaiserslautern, Germany

Caleb E. – Age 14 – King of Prussia, Pa.

Ian G. – Age 15 – Fort Knox, Ky.

Kenzie H. – Age 14 – Temecula, Calif.

Matthew H. – Age 17 – Watertown, N.Y.

Kianarose I. – Age 15 – Army Garrison Baumholder, Germany

Khadyajah J. – Age 15 – Universal City, Texas

Catalina L. – Age 14 – Fort Sill, Okla.

Caleb M. – Age 13 – Colorado Springs, Colo.

Carlos M. – Age 13 – Frederick, Md.

Rian M. – Age 11 – Fort Belvoir, Va.

Lorelei M. – Age 8 – Jefferson, Md.

Elsa M. – Age 18 – Fort Campbell, Ky.

Brooke N. – Age 17 – Reston, Va.

Elizabeth O. – Age 15 – Aberdeen, N.C.

Jonathan P. – Age 9 – Lecanto, Fla.

Jenna P. – Age 17 – Crestview, Fla.

Garrett R. – Age 12 – Killeen, Texas

Kevin R. – Age 17 – Fort Bragg, N.C.

Zachary S. – Age 12 – Fort Knox, Ky.

Christian S. – Age 15 – San Antonio, Texas

Austin S. – Age 18 – Columbus, Ga.

Noah S. – Age 17 – Libertyville, Ill.

Sualauvi T. – Age 13 – Kapolei, Hawaii

Caleb V. – Age 16 – Williamsburg, Va.

Audrey W. – Age 17 – Watertown, N.Y.

William Z. – Age 18 – Dexter, N.Y.

COAST GUARD
Connor B. – Age 14 – Bothell, Wash.

Chandel B. – Age 15 – Pearland, Texas

Evan C. – Age 8 – Vero Beach, Fla.

Juanita C. – Age 17 – Clearwater, Fla.

Tyrra C. – Age 17 – Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.

Roark C. – Age 13 – Mount Pleasant, S.C.

Mackenzie G. – Age 14 – Ranier, Wash

Zachary G. – Age 13 – Ranier, Wash.

Tyler H. – Age 18 – Kodiak, AK

Ryan H. – Age 17 – Chesapeake, Va.

Madison H. – Age 15 – Brentwood, Calif.

Olivia K. – Age 17 – Waldorf, Md.

Elizabeth K. – Age 14 – Chula Vista, Calif.

Aidan K. – Age 10 – Swansboro, N.C.

Kayleigh K. – Age 12 – Chesapeake, Va.

Kaylee M. – Age  10 -- Williamsburg, Va.

Meaghan M. – Age 17 – Duxbury, Mass.

Baylee M. – Age 16 – Honolulu, Hawaii

Alyra M. – Age 10 – Saint Marys, Ga

Jacy M. – Age 8 – Port Orchard, Wash.

Jake O. – Age 16 – Huntingtown, Md.

Alyssa S. – Age 14 – Davie, Fla.

Gabrielle S. – Age 13 – Juneau, Alaska

Kirie S. – Age 15 – East Haven, Conn.

Briana S. – Age 14 – Houston, Texas

Cadi T. – Age 15 – Camden, N.C.

Eligio U. – Age 13 – Birchwood, Tenn.

Matthew Y. – Age 18 – Fairhope, Ala.

MARINE CORPS
Saige A. – Age 13 – San Diego, Calif.

Jose A. – Age 13 – Okinawa, Japan

Anjali B. – Age 10 – Woodbridge, Va.

Jayda B. – Age 13 – Camp Lejune, N.C.

Dawson C. – Age 12 – Kailua, Hawaii

Elizabeth D. – Age 16 – Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Benjamin F. – Age 12 – New Bern, N.C.

Joshua F. – Age 10 – Jacksonville, N.C.

Andrameda G. – Age 15 – San Diego, Calif.

Sarah G. – Age 13 – Morehead City, N.C.

Nancy G – Age 11 – Hanover, Md.

Richard J. – Age 18 – Alexandria, Va.

Brady J. – Age 16 – Kaneohe, Hawaii

Michael-Logan J. – Age 15 – Kailua, Hawaii

Brock L. – Age 18 – Kailua, Hawaii

Keenan L. – Age 10 – Bethesda, Md.

Mary (Lizzie) M. – Age 14 – Havelock, N.C.

Logan M. – Age 9 – Kailua, Hawaii

Trai M. – Age 9 – Sneads Ferry, N.C.

Elizabeth M. – Age 12 – Pearl City, Hawaii

Destiny O. – Age 16 – Quantico, Va.

James O. – Age 16 – Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Shane O. – Age 14 – Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Noah P. – Age 15 – Havelock, N.C.

Gabrielle P. – Age 13 – Jacksonville, N.C.

Alexis R. – Age 17 – Waipahu, Hawaii

Aurea R. – Age 10 – Richlands, N.C.

Megan S. – Age 13 – Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Kalena S. – Age 10 – Okinawa, Japan

Elizabeth S. – Age 16 – Fort Eustis, Va.

Darian W. – Age 13 – Oceanside, Calif.

NAVY
Donovan B. – Age 8 – Jacksonville, Fla.

Gillian B. – Age 17 – Springfield, Va. 

Victoria B. – Age 15 – Gulf Breeze, Fla.

Angelica C. – Age 8 – El Paso, Texas

Nathan C. – Age 13 – Oak Harbor, Wash. 

Claudia C. – Age 17 – NAS Lemoore, Calif.

Ryan C. – Age 17 – Corpus Christi, Texas

Amanda D. – Age 18 – Virginia Beach, Va.

Derrick F. – Age 11 – Virginia Beach, Va.

Sarah H. – Age 12 – Louisville, Ky.

Lyric H. – Age 16 – Orange Park, Fla.

Dakota H. – Age 9 – Norfolk, Va.

Sierra J. – Age 11 – California, Md.

Daniel K. – Age 14 – Lake Stevens, Wash.

Nicole L. – Age 17 – Pickerington, Ohio

Jasmyn M. – Age 17 – Oak Harbor, Wash.

Mackenzie M. – Age 8 – Fort Meade, Md.

Pristinavae M. – Age 17 – Virginia Beach, Va.

Molly M. – Age 16 – NAS Lemoore, Calif.

Corbyn M. – Age 16 – Honolulu, Hawaii

John M. – Age 18 – Vass, N.C.

McDaniel N. – Age 10 – Chula Vista, Calif.

DeJa P. –Age 13 – Chula Vista, Calif.

GiVahna P. – Age 16 – California, Md.

Juilianna P. – Age 8 – NAS Lemoore, Calif.

Katarina Q. – Age 17 – Fallon, Nev.

Isabelle R. – Age 9 – Jamul, Calif.

Matthew S. – Age 17 – Jacksonville, Fla.

Grace T. – Age 15 – Cheshire, Conn.

Patrick W. – Age 14 – Pearl City, Hawaii

Eric W. – Age 13 – NAS Sigonella, Italy

Evan W. – Age 11 – Ewa Beach, Hawaii

About Operation Homefront:  A national nonprofit, Operation Homefront leads more than 4,500 volunteers with nationwide presence who provide emergency and other financial assistance to the families of service members and wounded warriors. Operation Homefront has met more than 750,000 needs of military families since its inception in 2002.  Accredited by the Better Business Bureau and holding an "A" rating from the American Institute of Philanthropy, nationally, 95 percent of total donations to Operation Homefront go directly to programs that provide support to our military families.  For more information, go to www.OperationHomefront.net.

SOURCE Operation Homefront