Caroline, Courageous Kids Contest U.S. Army National Guard Winner
April 18, 2024
Caroline, 16, was selected as OMK's Courageous Kids Contest winner in the U.S. Army National Guard category! Caroline is the child of a U.S. Army National Guard service member who deployed overseas in 2023.
"Caroline is a member of the Kentucky Army National Guard Kentucky Teen Council (KTC)," said Sarah H., the KY Army National Guard Child and Youth Coordinator who nominated Caroline.
"Not only has she been a leader within the group of 10 KYARNG dependent teens since joining, but she is also an exemplary student, school leader, athlete, and volunteer. She maintains several extracurriculars and leadership positions all the while experiencing the deployment of her father.
Since Caroline joined the KTC, she has stepped up and served as a leader within the group. Caroline is a relatively new member of the council since she has only been a part of the council less than a year. Despite this, she is always the first to step up and set an example for the other teens. She has not missed a single event or volunteer opportunity. Most importantly, she has done all of this during her father's deployment. During this time, she has also maintained a 4.0 GPA, leadership positions in several clubs, been active in both volleyball and basketball, and is a regular volunteer within her community. Managing all that she does in the middle of the deployment cycle is an excellent example of what it means to be resilient.
Caroline is possibly the most involved teen I have ever met! She plays varsity basketball, varsity volleyball, and powderpuff football. She is involved in many clubs including Student Council, Advancement Council, Biology Club, Endow Club, Y-Club, Interact Club, Random Acts of Kindness Committee, Bethlehem Recycling Committee, Beta Club, Smile Club, Spanish National Honor Society, Purple Star Committee, and National Honor Society.
Caroline would be an exemplary teen regardless of her father's deployment, but the fact that she has given her all in all of the listed activities while her father is deployed truly frames her as an excellent role model for military youth."
Q&A with Caroline
What are your favorite after-school activities? What do you love about them?
My favorite after-school activities are basketball, volleyball, and the Kentucky Teen Council. My favorite thing about the sports I participate in is that I get to play the sports I love with the people I love, I have so much fun with all of my teammates. My favorite aspect of the Kentucky Teen Council is representing military kids across the state, and providing fun activities for military youth.
To you, what does it mean to be a military kid?
To me, being a military kid means trying to be selfless every day. I try to have the mindset that I have to miss my dad because of the greater good of our nation. It also means helping out a little bit extra at home. When my dad is not home I try to be a leader in my family. Being a military kid is hard at times, but it also fills me with great pride. I know that what my dad does has a true impact on the world, so I am proud of him.
Do you have any advice to other kids with a deployed parent?
My advice to other kids with a deployed parent is to keep going. Having a routine is key, and will help you feel like your life is a little bit normal. Whenever my dad is gone I like to do something extra that keeps me busy. It is also important to talk with your deployed parent as much as you can. I can guarantee that your parent misses you just as much as you miss them!
What do you want to be when you get older?
When I get older I want to be a lawyer. The military is very disciplined, which translated in my house growing up. My dad's military background influenced me heavily growing up, which led me to be a rule-oriented person. I have always been a strict rule follower, so naturally, law has always interested me. I think I will be successful and fulfilled as a lawyer when I am older.
