Nikki's Story

"Over the past year, Nikki has demonstrated courage, resilience, and strength at home, at school, and in her extracurricular activities," said her mother. "At just 12 years old, she achieved her first-degree black belt in Taekwondo, breaking her first brick, and is working hard toward achieving her second-degree black belt."

"She excelled academically ever since she was a young child, skipping a grade. She is now helping to teach younger Taekwondo students, as well as her younger siblings, in Taekwondo classes. Being the oldest of six children, she also helps out around the house, experimenting with different food recipes for the whole family to enjoy."

"Her dad deployed for the second time in 2022. Throughout both deployments, she braved through, especially in 2019 when her last sibling was born. At school, she is a model student, getting straight A's, and founded the school's Drama Club since one was not available and we couldn't afford to send her to acting school. She also shows leadership and creativeness in her clubs, including ASB, K-Pop, journalism, and acts as the school's ambassador in the school's parent-teacher meetings.

"Nikki often stays late at school to help her teachers grading papers, setting up dances, or taking pictures around school for her yearbook/journalism class. Everyone, especially the front desk and the principal at school, knows Nikki and has praised her to us. She is now 13 and being interviewed for the accelerated Early College Academy in high school where she may complete both high school and earn a community college AA degree together in four years."

"She is already thinking ahead and planning to work at her Taekwondo school as an assistant instructor when she turns fourteen to cover some of her costs to continue her Taekwondo black belt journey. Nikki is a strong young woman who hopes to become an attorney in the future."