Semi-Finalists Announced for 2015 Military Child of the Year® Award

SAN ANTONIO, Jan. 15, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Operation Homefront today announced the 90 semi-finalists – representing all five service branches and the National Guard – for the 2015 Military Child of the Year® Award.  2015 marks the seventh year Operation Homefront has presented the award, which will be given to one outstanding military child from each category: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and National Guard.

Each semi-finalist will be interviewed by Operation Homefront staff, and award recipients will be chosen by a panel of judges including senior retired service members, senior spouses, members of Operation Homefront's Board of Directors, and other leaders in the military support community. 

The recipient of the Military Child of the Year® Award for each category will be announced in March.  Each award recipient will receive $10,000 and will be flown with a parent or guardian to Washington, D.C. for a special recognition ceremony on April 16, 2015.   

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.

"Our Military Child of the Year Award honors those young patriots who overcome the difficulties presented by deployments, relocations, and other challenges of military life," said Tim Farrell, Chief Operating Officer for Operation Homefront. "These exemplary young people set an example for others to emulate in their communities through leadership, resilience, and a commitment to excellence in all that they do."

Following are the semi-finalists for the 2015 Military Child of the Year® Award.

ARMY
Joseph C. – age 14 – Colleyville, Texas
Leslie C. – age 17 – Colorado Springs, Colo.
Johnily C. – age 11 – Nolanville, Texas
Savannah H. – age 15 – Coal Valley, Ill.
Haleigh H. – age 17 – Cadiz, Ky.
Amanda L. – age 17 – Watertown, N.Y.
Lorelei M. – age 9 – Duncannon, Pa.
Cavan M. – age 13 – Duncannon, Pa.
Grant N. – age 14 – West Point, N.Y.
Elizabeth O. – age 16 – Fuquay Varina, N.C.
India P. – age 17 – Appling, Ga.
Elisabeth P. – age 12 – Honolulu, Hawaii
Abigail P. – age 17 – Clarksville, Tenn.
Christian S. – age 17 – Seaford, Va.
Rachel S. – age 17 – Dahlonega, Ga.

AIR FORCE
Joel B. – age 16 – Dover, Del.
Andre B. – age 17 – Tampa, Fla.
Jacob D. – age 16 – Norman, Okla.
Meaghan F. – age 17 – Beavercreek, Ohio
Sarah H. – age 16 – Doha, Qatar
Andrew L. – age 17 – Laurel, Md.
Jordyn M. – age 8 – Trussville, Ala.
Bethany M. – age 16 – Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.
Gabriella M. – age 17 – Tucson, Ariz.
Kristen R. – age 17 – Osan, Korea
Bridget R. – age 16 – Burke, Va.
Eddie S. – age 14 – Beavercreek, Ohio
Angelo S. – age 17 – Hainesport, N.J.
Caleb Y. – age 16 – Enid, Okla.
David Z. – age 16 – San Antonio, Texas

COAST GUARD
Bryn B. – age 17 – Washington, D.C.
Jesse C. – age 17 – Port Angeles, Wash.
Mary Kate C. – age 15 – Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.
Emily C. – age 17 – Durham, N.H.
Ryan D. – age 11 – Wrightstown, N.J.
Madison F. – age 16 – Southgate, Mich.
Keegan F. – age 16 – Fairhaven, Mass.
Shyanne G. – age 17 – Onancock, Va.
Olivia K. – age 17 – Grangeville, Idaho
Marissa K. – age 15 – Grangeville, Idaho
John K. – age 12 – Grangeville, Idaho
Kylie M. – age 13 – Hamilton, N.J.
Ernesto M. – age 15 – Ashburn, Va.
Chase M. – age 16 – Mobile, Ala.
Caleb P. – age 18 – Pembroke Pines, Fla.

MARINE CORPS
Ashton B. – age 12 – Albany, N.Y.
Brianna C. – age 13 – Hill Air Force Base, Utah
Corey C. – age 16 – Havelock, N.C.
Tori E. – age 17 – Mesa, Ariz.
Adriana E. – age 13 – Havelock N.C.
Brady J. – age 17 – Alexandria, Va.
Mary K. – age 17 – Henderson, Nev.
Samuel K. – age 17 – Barre, Vt.
Lyric N. – age 8 – Indianapolis, Ind. 
Destiny O. – age 17 – Quantico, Va.
Christopher-Raul R. – age 17 – Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Cezar R. – age 17 – Waynesville, Mo.
Briley R. – age 13 – Saint Paul, Minn.
Emily S. – age 16 – New Kensington, Pa.
Faith S. – age 17 – Biloxi, Miss.

NATIONAL GUARD
Mabelle B. – age 11 – Winter Garden, Fla.
Rachel C. – age 18 – Wellesley, Mass.
Adam C. – age 17 – Newport News, Va.
Molly F. – age 14 – Pickerington, Ohio
Brandon G. – age 16 – Newburgh, N.Y.
Michelle G. – age 17 – Colorado Springs, Colo.
Christian G. – age 11 – Fresno, Calif.
Arial J. – age 16 – Lithonia, Ga.
Sara M. – age 17 – Chicago, Ill.
Lily M. – age 13 – Portland, Ore.
Zachary P. – age 16 – Warrensburg, Mo.
Kameron P. – age 16 – Norfolk, Va.
Colette S. – age 9 – Napa, Calif.
Brianna S. – age 13 – Oregon City, Ore.
Maggie W. – age 16 – Yardley, Pa.

NAVY
Carson A. – age 14 – San Diego, Calif.
Victoria B. – age 16 – Gulf Breeze, Fla.
Michael C. – age 16 – Alexandria, Va.
Hailey F. – age 8 – Bremerton, Wash.
Katherine H. – age 12 – Havelock, N.C.
Emily K. – age 17 – Ocoee, Fla.
Daniel K. – age 15 – Newport, R.I.
Katlyn L. – age 17 – Virginia Beach, Va.
Corbyn M. – age 17 – Honolulu, Hawaii
Autumn O. – age 17 – Aiea, Hawaii
Isabelle R. – age 10 – Jamul, Calif.
Brendan S. – age 18 – Niantic, Conn.
Brady S. – age 17 – Virginia Beach, Va.
Kenan T. – age 17 – Bahrain
Mariah W. – age 17 – New Bern, N.C.

About Operation Homefront: A national nonprofit, Operation Homefront leads more than 2,500 volunteers with nationwide presence who provide emergency and other financial assistance to the families of service members and wounded warriors. Operation Homefront has provided assistance to thousands of military families since its inception in 2002. Recognized for superior performance by leading independent charity watchdog groups, nationally, 93 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

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