Conleigh, 13, was selected as OMK's Courageous Kids of 2022 Contest winner in the U.S. Air National Guard category!
During their mother's deployment, Conleigh and her sisters each received OMK activity grants to cover fees for dance and piano classes.
Q&A with Conleigh
Conleigh's Story
"Conleigh can be perfectly described as a strong and courageous 13-year-old who never ceases to amaze her family with her resiliency," said her mother, an U.S. Air National Guard service member. "Conleigh has been through deployments her entire life. In fact, at just 6 weeks old, her father left for an overseas deployment with four more following that. This past year her mother served overseas, totaling five deployments."
Nidia, 17, was selected as OMK's second-ever Hidden Helper Hero Award winner as part of the Courageous Kids of 2022 Contest!
Nidia's mother is an U.S. Army Veteran in treatment for toxic exposure-related illness. During this time, Nidia and her younger brother Brian have received OMK activity grants to cover pilates class, martial arts, and gymnastics fees.
Q&A with Nidia
Nidia's Story
"At the age of 17, most teenagers are focused on their future, exploring their interests and passions, and enjoying the company of friends," said Nidia's father. "However, for our teenage daughter, life has thrown her a curveball that most adults wouldn't be able to handle. Her mother, a combat veteran, was exposed to burn pits during two deployments to Iraq, resulting in cancer which is service-connected to her deployment.
Daniela, 16, was selected as OMK's Courageous Kids of 2022 Contest Winner in the U.S. Army National Guard category!
During their father's deployment and subsequent combat-injury recovery, Daniela and her siblings Julia, Victoria, and Isabella have each received multiple OMK activity grants to cover fees for piano lessons, tutoring, martial arts, gymnastics, voice lessons, and driver's education classes!
Q&A with Daniela
Daniela's Story
Catherine, 14, was selected as OMK's Courageous Kids of 2022 Contest Winner in the U.S. Air Force category!
During their father's combat-injury recovery, Catherine and her sisters Madelyn and Victoria each received multiple OMK activity grants to cover soccer fees.
Q&A with Catherine
Catherine's Story
"Catherine’s dedication to her family and community is truly amazing," said her father, a U.S. Air Force Veteran in recovery from combat-related injuries. "She has dedicated countless volunteer hours to her community, school, and sports teams."
"Catherine is a stellar athlete and was selected as Captain for her volleyball team this past season. She was selected as Captain 'due to her leadership, sportsmanship, and hard work ethic,' serving as a positive role model to not only her team but also the younger teams in her school."
"Through her passion for sports, she was also selected as a starter and key contributor for her school basketball team. Catherine is also a soccer superstar. Catherine has played soccer at the highest of levels since she was old enough to compete. Catherine is a starter on her competitive soccer travel team which plays in the highest skill and competition category in the nation. She is a 'coach's dream player' as she plays with such passion, skill, and tenacity."
"Catherine leads and motivates her teammates to strive for excellence while promoting positive sportsmanship and teamwork. While becoming a sports sensation, Catherine is also a straight A student, making the Honor Roll and maintaining a 4.0 GPA. She studies hard and is always willing to help out fellow classmates."
"Cat aspires to become a traveling nurse so she can help the sick and suffering and especially wants to help Veterans. Not only is Catherine a 4.0 student, community activist, volunteer and stellar athlete; she is Vice President of the National Junior Honor Society and President of the Keystone Club."
"Perhaps Catherine’s biggest strength and attribute is her dedication and love to her family and her parents. I am a five-time Combat Veteran who has deployed to both Afghanistan and Iraq on separate occasions and was severely injured while deployed. Catherine is the reason I am still alive. She has definitely helped me battle this deep dark depression and Post Traumatic Stress. She has been his inspiration to fight to stay alive. Catherine is the first to help me. She supports me all the time and brings a smile to my face whether it’s by performing to the best of her abilities on or off the field. I could not be prouder of my baby girl. Catherine is truly a blessing and portrait of excellence."
Nikki, 13, was selected as OMK's Courageous Kids of 2022 Contest Winner in the U.S. Army Reserve category!
During her father's two deployments, Nikki and her five younger siblings all received OMK activity grants to cover martial arts costs.
Q&A with Nikki
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."
Kayla, 17, was selected as OMK's Courageous Kids of 2022 Contest Winner in the U.S. Marine Corps category!
Kayla and her three siblings have each received multiple OMK activity grants to cover fees for softball, martial arts, and ballet classes throughout their father's combat-injury recovery.
Q&A with Kayla
Kayla's Story
"As a parent of this nominee, I can only say there are just too many things to be proud of," said Kayla's mother. "During her dad's recovery with Wounded Warrior Regiment she has shown resilience. She has helped at home with her siblings and stepping up in our household as a role model."
"She has maintained a 4.0 GPA while taking dual enrollment classes at the local college, keeping up with studies during extracurricular activities like travel softball and track and field. She has been big on giving back to the community. She is an assistant soccer coach for recreational soccer, helping out with she can at local food pantries.
"There have been times where I’ve been stressed trying to adjust to helping my husband with his disabilities. She has been more than understanding and has helped me out many times with her younger siblings. Whether I’ve needed her to be my Uber driver or go to the grocery store, she’s always there. I always feel she goes above and beyond to be the most helpful.
"Her dad has been on multiple deployments resulting in many combat-related injuries. She has been a comfort for me and made things a lot easier. She has also been involved in youth programs at our church and continues to thrive spiritually. We are so excited to see what this year brings to her. As she heads off to college, I know she is ready to be on her own. She can adjust to anything that comes her way. I’m not worried that she’s ready to face the world."
Billy, 16, was selected as OMK's Courageous Kids of 2022 Contest Winner in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve category!
Billy has received multiple OMK activity grants to cover Boy Scout camp and high school band fees during his father's deployments.
Q&A with Billy
Billy's Story
"Billy has demonstrated courage, resilience and strength at home, at high school, in his extracurricular activities and in his community," said his father, a U.S. Coast Guard Reservists. "At home, he is currently 'the man of the house' since his two older brothers are living away at college. He has been very helpful to his mother with maintaining the home, doing chores, cutting the grass, and taking care of the family dog.
"At school, he stays active in many activities and clubs while maintaining a high GPA and earning Honor Roll. Many of his teachers comment that he is a pleasure to have in class and does outstanding work.
In his extracurricular activities, Billy is a member of the Percussion Section (Drum Line) in the High School Marching Band and was selected to be a Section Leader and a Squad Leader. In these positions, he guides the other members as a positive influence, helps them with learning to play the music and teaches the forms and commands of marching. He also performs in the Jazz and Concert Bands. Billy is also involved with the Audio-Visual Club and has created entertaining videos that were viewed during the homeroom period telecast. In December, Billy tried out for the High School’s Spring Musical production of 'Grease' and landed the role of Doody. From March 23 to 25, 2023, Billy’s performance as Doody and his rendition of 'Those Magic Changes' delighted the audiences.
In the community, Billy is a member of the local Scout Troop and has held the offices of Patrol Leader, Chaplain’s Aide, Scribe, Webmaster, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, as well as the highest leadership role one could serve in a Scout Troop, Senior Patrol Leader. In May 2022, Billy completed his Eagle Scout Project by leading a group of his fellow Scouts, parents and some friends in building a hexagon swing in the local community park. On April 5, 2023, Billy passed his Eagle Scout Board of Review and earned his Eagle Scout, the highest rank attainable in the Scouts BSA program of the Boy Scouts of America."
Lesley, 17, was selected as OMK's Courageous Kids of 2022 Contest Winner in the U.S. Navy category!
Lesley and her sister Ariella have each received OMK activity grants to cover dance fees during their mother's combat-injury recovery.
Q&A with Lesley
Lesley's Story
"Lesley is a junior in high school and is on track to graduate with her associate's degree at the end of her senior year," said her mother, a U.S. Navy Veteran in recovery. "It hasn’t been easy for her."
"Lesley is a dancer — she teaches dance at a studio located in a military town. She shares her love of dance with children and is a mentor and a positive role model for all the children that enter the studio. Taking time to get to know her students, helping them when they are struggling, and relating to them when they are struggling with deployed family members and relocating friends. It’s not an easy life but she has lived it, with two parents in the military. She understands better than most what it means to be resilient and true sacrifice. She has the kindest heart and truly cares about each and every child that crosses sees her path in life.
"Lesley gives her time in our community working on community murals to beautify our small town. She volunteers to teach dance in our local schools through the DINO (Dabble in New Opportunities) program run by the Boys and Girls Club. She has also devoted many hours to fundraising for the dance team’s Booster Club, which decreases the cost of fees for dance team members. She has performed at local assisted living facilities, bringing the joy of dance to the residents that would otherwise not be able to go to dance performances.
"Lesley was forced to learn to be resilient, with two parents in the military. She learned to advocate for herself. You wouldn’t believe it now, but if you met her when she was young, she was extremely shy! Once she began dancing and was selected for the competition dance team, she gained confidence and the courage to dance in front of hundreds of people! She teaches the dancers that same confidence by preparing them to get on the stage and perform at competitions and recitals."
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."
Madyson, 18, was selected as OMK's Courageous Kids of 2022 Contest Winner in the U.S. Army category!
Madyson and her sister Kinley have each received multiple OMK activity grants for basketball and horseback riding during their father's combat-injury recovery.
Q&A with Madyson
Madyson's Story
"Madyson is always the first one here and the last one out," said her equine therapy coach. "Madyson's little sister was a participant in my 18-week Military Kids Social Emotional Equine Assisted Learning Program. Madyson began volunteering any time I needed extra hands. Not only do I rely on her, but these younger military children rely on and look up to her too.
She takes the time to help each military kid handle and understand horses. She also helps with the emotions we work on and relates to the children so well. She’s always another person they can rely on outside of their own military home.
She juggled volunteering with basketball, high school, working, and now her own horse in which she keeps at my farm. At work, she is always stepping up to help the new kids. Within the first six months of working there, she has received a promotion and a raise.
Having her own horse has just proved her dedication and passion for what horses can do for others. She goes above and beyond on a regular basis. I cannot express how many times this kid has cleaned the stalls, scrubbed buckets, checked water, or even let my dogs out when I have long days at work. She does all of that and more without being asked because she knows it will make my long days easier.
Madyson has done this all this past year with a double knee surgery last August. She is currently finishing her senior year of high school and is set to graduate this May."