Drake, U.S. Air Force Reserve Winner
April 14, 2023
Drake, 11, was selected as OMK's Courageous Kids of 2022 Contest Winner in the U.S. Air Force Reserve category!
Drake and his twin sister Daelynne each received OMK activity grants to cover fees for basketball, baseball, and art classes during their mother's deployment.
Q&A with Drake
Drake's Story
"Both of Drake's parents have been in the Air Force Reserve for 20 years," said his great-grandmother. "His father retired in September while his mom was deployed. This was the first time Drake (and his twin sister) had been separated from their mother, and Drake truly used the time to grow up.
"While Drake's mother was deployed, he truly stepped up and showed up. We were amazed by his growth and maturity while mom was away. Though Drake is very close to both parents, he has a special bond with his mom.
"At home and at school, Drake excelled and exhibited a resilient and courageous behavior that surprised us all. As a sixth grader, Drake is a leader. He is in the band, where he plays the trombone, and is taking Chinese. For the band concert, Drake was selected to speak to the audience to give background on the musical selection to be played while leading his fellow trombone players.
"Drake was selected to lead not only his Chinese class, but the entire student body to commemorate Chinese history, structure, and the inner workings of the culture at school. Drake has been such a key asset to his school that his mother received not only one, but two emails from his school instructors letting her know what a great student Drake is and had become. His efforts were lauded by his assistant principal as well who also made a phone call to Drake's mom while away. I
"Drake has a twin sister who historically has been the one to take charge. With the deployment, this changed drastically, as Drake would do all his chores without anyone saying anything, ask if anyone needed help with anything, offered to make himself a babysitter for his siblings at his father’s house, and did yard work. He was so proud that he had a video sent to his mother where she cried at seeing her young man cutting the lawn — something his mom typically loved to do.
"Drake made an entire 180, showing courage, passion, strength, resilience, growth, and maturity. He truly was the example of how a child can take a parent's departure and transition into a level-headed, patient young man that others should emulate."
