Meet Talia, the WINNER of Our Military Kids’ Courageous Kids of 2020 Contest in the U.S. Army (Severely Injured) category!

Talia, 17, is the daughter of an U.S. Army Veteran who underwent treatment for severe combat-related injuries in 2020. As a high school senior, Talia is president of the SGA, Wing Commander of her Air Force JROTC, Drum Major for her school’s marching band, and a straight-A Dual Enrollment student. Talia also makes time to tutor elementary school students on virtual learning, and pursue her Girl Scout Gold Award.

“Being asked to stay home during this time could have been a challenge,” said Talia’s mother, Tonia. “Instead of turning this into an obstacle, Talia created a schedule to balance academics, community service, and spending time with family.”

In the past year, Talia has learned how to better assist her father at home.

“Talia’s father is coping with a disability,” said Tonia. “We have talked, shared, and learned to work with PTSD. As a student, you don’t always get to see the effects, but COVID-19 has shed some light on things. Talia is positive, optimistic, and willing to see what she can do to change the atmosphere at home. She has learned how to do things outside of the box, like helping her father renovate the bathroom and cutting wood for the deck. She was able to pause and help her father focus on what was important to him. It is truly an honor to see her develop academically, socially, emotionally.”

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