2026 Military Child of the Year® Award Recipients
Elizabeth Stanton, 2026 Military Child of the Year® for the Air Force
Change and absence were hallmarks of Elizabeth Stanton’s childhood in a military family. Now she wants to change the world. The challenges of Elizabeth’s youth built the strength and character that earned her recognition as Operation Homefront’s 2026 Military Child of the Year® for the Air Force.
Elizabeth, 16, is a senior at International Leadership of Texas Aggieland High School, graduating in three years as a top scholar and National Honor Society member. She is the daughter of Joshua and Cheri Stanton of College Station, Texas. She has two siblings, Ben, 13; and Caroline, 20.
Joshua, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, served 21 years. His last duty station was Creech Air Force Base in Nevada, where he was deputy commander of the Persistent Attack and Reconnaissance Operations Center.
Elizabeth’s earliest memory of her dad is greeting him in an airport when he returned home from the first of three deployments to Afghanistan. Joshua deployed seven times — an absence of 32 months total. With absences for training exercises included, he was gone more than four years total.
She sees the award as an opportunity to share her story of resilience with other military children facing similar struggles.
“Being a military child is hard, and we often have very negative experiences,” she said. “But there are hidden strengths that come from it. You can turn those experiences into connections and growth.”
Elizabeth’s strength shows in her home, community, and competitive sports.
Her mother’s cancer was her first experience in advocacy, inspiring her to support others.
She currently practices this with a local food pantry, A Hopeful Harvest, where her place on the board of directors allows her to advocate for food security for all.
“The most meaningful part of my role is getting to know the faces (of people) as they come every week,” Elizabeth said.
In sports, she leans on tenacity when odds aren’t in her favor.
Despite being an inexperienced runner, she joined the varsity cross-country team as a freshman. She trained hard and qualified for State all three years.
Elizabeth has lettered in cross-country, track, and equestrian sports, and been captain of her varsity equestrian team.
The shared experiences of military families — frequent goodbyes, new schools, and PCS move horror stories — open doors to connection with others in the service.
“If you see your background as an advantage and use your hardships to shape your character, it can change your entire perspective,” she said.
Service/Leadership Highlights
- A Hopeful Harvest food pantry, board of directors
- Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, Gold Key for short story, Silver Keys for poetry
- Congressional Medal, silver medal
- President’s Volunteer Service Award, gold level
- Daily Point of Light Award, Points of Light Foundation, 550+ hours of community service
Amani Ambay, 2026 Military Child of the Year® for the Army
Life as a military child presented Amani Ambay with challenges that shaped her global view and gave her a heart for service. Those traits, along with her outstanding achievements, earned her the title of Operation Homefront’s 2026 Military Child of the Year® for the Army.
Amani, 19, is the daughter of Raj and Aparna Ambay of Lutz, Florida. Raj, an Army Reserve colonel, has served 30 years as a field trauma surgeon for special operations and plans to retire in August 2026. He was deployed a total of 18 months when Amani was too young to understand his absences.
“My father served as a powerful example of integrity and sacrifice,” she said. “He never once complained, even after he was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade in Afghanistan.”
Though she was only 10 years old when her father returned home with serious injuries, she showed compassion and maturity as she helped tend to his wounds and IV drips each day after school.
She learned about resilience in 2021, when she and her parents narrowly escaped a devastating fire. Dressed in pajamas, they stood across the street from the house and watched as their home and all their belongings burned.
The support that followed by the military community, her school, and in the area inspired Amani as people rallied to provide emotional support and replace clothing and other necessities lost in the fire.
For relief in stressful times, Amani turns to swimming, working out, reading, and poetry writing. She formed a nonprofit, Yalla Foundation, that leverages video platforms to connect military and civilian kids — especially girls — and today spans 26 countries on five continents. Through Yalla, students from different cultures and backgrounds collaborate and build friendships that extend beyond the classroom.
Amani graduated from Berkeley Preparatory School in Tampa Bay. She is completing her freshman year at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., where she has been inducted into the University Honors Program and named a U.S. Presidential Scholar. She plans to double major in international affairs and finance.
“By studying both disciplines together, I hope to better understand how geopolitical decision-making affects the global economy,” she said. She speaks five languages with varying degrees of proficiency and is learning two more languages. She hopes to study in three to five countries while earning her undergraduate and graduate degrees.
“I am truly in awe when I think about the limitless number of things to learn, people to meet, and experiences to capture.”
Service/Leadership Highlights
- Yalla Foundation, founder
- George Washington University TEDx, leadership team
- University Stock and Portfolio Management Team
- George Washington University, Honors Program inductee
- George Washington University, named Presidential Scholar
Victoria “Tori” Vanacore, 2026 Military Child of the Year® for the Coast Guard
With two parents serving in the Coast Guard, Victoria “Tori” Vanacore learned early that, ready or not, change happens. She also learned to adapt. Her resilience and determination earned her the title of Operation Homefront’s 2026 Military Child of the Year® for the Coast Guard.
Tori, 17, is a senior at First Flight High School in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. She is the daughter of Coast Guard veterans Jaime and Paul Vanacore. Her 19-year-old brother, Dominic, continues the family’s Coast Guard service.
Jaime served 20 years and retired in 2022. Paul retired in 2019 after 21 years.
“Their service … taught me to be independent, strong, and adaptable, and it gave me a life full of memories, new places, and people I never would’ve met,” Tori said.
She sees herself serving our country, too. An aspiring fighter jet pilot, she has her sights on attending Duke University or the Air Force Academy as she works toward a career in national security or intelligence.
During her family’s four PCS moves and her parents’ combined total of 60 months of deployments, Tori turned to sports as a constant in her ever-changing world.
“Growing up as a military child, I learned early that life doesn’t wait for you to feel ready,” she said. “You get thrown into new places, new schools, new routines, and you have to figure things out even when you’re scared or unsure.”
Joining teams provided a sense of purpose, making transitions easier, she said. During high school — and while maintaining top grades — Tori has participated in basketball, volleyball, soccer, track, tennis, and wrestling.
“Having a team behind you reminds you that you’re not going through this life alone,” she said.
Through frequent moves, Tori learned about making friends quickly and building connections that last.
“Some of the closest friendships I have today came from those moves, and they taught me that home can be created wherever you land if you’re willing to open up and let people in,” she said.
Exposure to different cultures and lifestyles broadened her mindset.
“Instead of being overwhelmed by change, I learned to be curious and open‑minded,” she said. “That’s what made me comfortable in almost any environment, whether it’s a new classroom, a new team, or a completely new community.”
Service/Leadership Highlights
- North Carolina all-conference soccer player, four years
- Iron Woman Award, North Carolina FBI Youth Leadership Academy
- Dual college enrollment, three years
- District Attorney’s Office, internship
- Best Day Foundation, volunteer
Hannah Kirksey, 2026 Military Child of the Year® for the Marines
One member of Hannah Kirksey’s family wore the Marine Corps uniform for two decades. Each member of the household served proudly with him through relocations, deployments, and adjustments of military life. Hannah, 18, is Operation Homefront’s 2026 Military Child of the Year® for the Marine Corps.
Hannah is a senior at Dixon High School in Holly Ridge, North Carolina. She and her parents, Jacqueline and retired Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. William Kirksey, live in Sneads Ferry, North Carolina. Her older brother, Kaleb, is majoring in military aviation at Liberty University.
William served 21 years and deployed 16 times, to countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Chad, Mauritania, Japan, and Korea. Deployments took him away from the family for a total of 37 months. The absences were hard for the family, especially Hannah, who is the youngest.
“I remember sitting in our kitchen as a child, looking out the window and wondering when my dad would come home,” she said. “It was hard to watch other families playing together outside or sitting down for dinner together when our family felt incomplete.”
It was even harder when her dad returned from combat a changed person.
“Rebuilding our relationship over the years was difficult not only because he had been gone for so long, but also because it felt like part of him was still at war,” Hannah said. “Through those experiences, I have come to understand that service does not belong only to the person wearing the uniform — it extends to the entire family.”
Hannah sometimes felt rejected when her father grew distant as he healed from invisible wounds. She also faced frustration at school as she navigated dyslexia. She persevered.
“As I grew older, I gained empathy and understanding for my father’s sacrifice and learned how to advocate for myself academically,” she said. “If I could go back, I would respond sooner with compassion and self-awareness, knowing that both challenges were rooted in things far bigger than me.”
Hannah draws strength from her mom, her best friend, her Christian faith, and laughter. She also finds inspiration in her father’s strength and resilience.
“Even in smaller moments, like when he wears his veteran hat in public and someone stops to thank him for his service, I feel an overwhelming sense of pride,” she said. “Knowing that he served to protect our country fills me with deep gratitude and pride in both my family and the values we stand for.”
Service/Leadership Highlights
- Military Community Support and Service Club, founder and president
- Business clothing lending closet for students, founder
- Health Occupations Students of America, vice president
- Fellowship of Christian Athletes, leader
- Varsity cheerleader
Lila Morgan, 2026 Military Child of the Year® for the National Guard
Military service runs four generations deep in Lila Morgan’s family, and that history inspires her to lead a life defined by service, leadership, and purpose. At 18, Lila’s resilience and strength have earned her opportunities and awards from local to international levels, including her recognition as Operation Homefront’s 2026 Military Child of the Year® for the National Guard.
Lila is the daughter of Courtney and Larry Morgan of Lithia, Florida. Larry served eight years in the Marine Corps before entering the Army National Guard. He is a first lieutenant with a combined total of 15 years of service. He has been deployed a total of 36 months.
A senior at the University of South Florida, Lila completed high school at 16 and will graduate college in August with a double major in political science and criminology. In fall, she will enter a dual-degree program at American University and work toward a master’s in public policy and a law degree. Her goal is to wrap up the three-year graduate program by age 21.
Lila is also a dedicated leader and volunteer. She aspires to become a judge advocate general in the Army.
“My goals are rooted in service,” she said. “Through law, policy, and nonprofit leadership, I hope to dedicate my career to protecting others, advocating for fairness, and contributing to the well-being of the communities I serve.”
Growing up in a military family, Lila learned to appreciate community and face challenges with determination. Those challenges can be different for National Guard children because they often live in civilian communities that don’t fully understand military family life. National Guard service members also can be called away suddenly for deployment or activation.
“Because of that, my father has missed many of my major milestones,” she said. “Beyond the big moments, he has also missed the small ones that shape everyday life — the excitement of doing well on a test, the disappointment of a tough game, family game nights, and being home for Shabbat. Those everyday moments are the ones you wish you could share most.”
National Guard members often support their state when disaster strikes, leaving family members at home to navigate the same disaster without their service member. Those family sacrifices are part of something larger — service to our country and community, Lila said.
“The lessons I learned as a military child continue to guide how I approach leadership, service, and the goals I pursue in my own life.”
Service/Leadership Highlights
- I Choose to Be Drug Free, Inc., co-founder and president
- Chabad on Campus Jewish Student Association, director of campus relations and student involvement
- U.S. House of Representatives, Florida 14th District, congressional intern
- Civil Air Patrol, cadet lieutenant colonel, Florida Wing Cadet of the Year, 2025
- Florida Army National Guard, Youth Advisory Council
Ayla Zook, 2026 Military Child of the Year® for the Navy
As part of a military family, Ayla Zook learned early how to embrace fresh opportunities and anchor herself amid change. Ayla, a freshman at Dartmouth College, is Operation Homefront’s 2026 Military Child of the Year® for the Navy.
She is the daughter of Kimberly and David Zook of King George, Virginia. David is a retired Navy captain who served 25 years. Ayla has two younger sisters: Grace, 16, and Sarah, 14. Grace was a finalist for the award.
The Zook family made five PCS moves during David’s service, and Ayla attended nine schools. She graduated from King George High School.
“Growing up as a military child gave me the rare gift of learning early not to fear change but to grow from it,” Ayla said. “Across five moves and many school transitions, I learned how to adapt quickly, connect with different kinds of people, and step into unfamiliar environments with curiosity rather than hesitation.”
She developed empathy for those who were new to a community and worked to help them feel rooted.
Ayla found constants in expanding her mind at museums as well as through food experiences — from ingredients to preparation techniques to presentation on the plate.
“No matter where we lived, I could always look forward to creating something in the kitchen or exploring new ideas in a museum. Those became my steady places in the middle of constant change,” she said. “I would encourage other military kids to find their own version of my ‘kitchen’ or ‘museum,’ something that grounds you, excites you, and reminds you who you are.”
She remembers one Sunday morning with her dad soon after he returned home from deployment. They cooked breakfast and experimented with techniques for making crunchy French toast. She still enjoys innovating classic dishes and creating unique flavor fusions.
Museums became a refuge and an extension of the classroom for Ayla. The family made time to explore on vacations, during moves, and in each new location. She learned how science, history, and art intertwine, and she became inspired to pursue a career in the STEM field.
At Dartmouth, she plans to major in physics and linguistics. Her long-term goal is to explore how quantum physics can intersect with artificial intelligence in neuroscience, biology, linguistics, and other subjects. Ultimately, she would like to become a university professor and researcher.
Service/Leadership Highlights
- Y Street health advocacy organization, leader
- Eagle Scout project, created STEM educations resources for Dahlgren Heritage Museum
- Scouting National Youth Leadership Training, mentor and leader
- Dartmouth Science Olympiad committee member
- New York Academy of Sciences, international program for STEM research and project development
Taylor Schreiner, 2026 Military Child of the Year® for the Space Force
Adjusting to her family’s new normal with each of her father’s moves and deployments left Taylor Schreiner feeling hollow when she was a young child.
Today, she has pride in her family’s resilience and her father’s military service as she is recognized as Operation Homefront’s 2026 Military Child of the Year® for the Space Force.
Taylor, 18, is a senior at Discovery Canyon High School in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She is the daughter of Robert and Nicole Schreiner. Nicole is a retired Air Force and Space Force civil servant. Robert is a Space Force brigadier general who has dedicated 28 years to military service. He currently serves as commander of U.S. Space Forces Northern.
Taylor is the middle of three children in the family. Her sister, Hayley, was the 2023 Military Child of the Year for the Space Force. Her brother, Nate, is a high school junior.
The Schreiner family approaches military life uniquely. Robert made permanent change of station moves on his own while Nicole and the children stayed in Colorado Springs to provide stability for the children and job continuity for Nicole.
Through Robert’s two deployments and 13 PCS moves — 10 of those during Taylor’s lifetime — the Schreiners adapted to being a family of four rather than a family of five. Collectively, his time away totals 65 months, almost a third of Taylor’s life.
Taylor remembers the tears she and her father shed when she was 6 years old and he moved to a new duty station in England. Before their goodbyes, she had thought about memorable moments that would be different without her dad: holidays, sporting events, daddy-daughter dances.
“This is the emotional turmoil that military families conceal,” she said. “We fabricate a façade to mask the hollowness seeping through our homes.”
Being a military child taught Taylor determination and adaptability at a young age. That has helped her excel on the varsity soccer team and in the rigorous curriculum at her International Baccalaureate school. She is among the top students in her class.
That determination, along with an interest in the health care field, guided Taylor’s decision to earn her Certified Nursing Assistant license at age 17.
The CNA license became a priority when she participated in a medical internship at a senior center. She noticed neglect and inadequate care of patients.
“I want to be the change that needs to be made in our healthcare system,” she said.
Taylor plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison and become a pediatric oncologist.
Service/Leadership Highlights
- Health Occupations Students of America, president
- National Honor Society, officer
- Varsity soccer team and B-Elite club team, captain
- Colorado Springs Children’s Hospital, volunteer
- Certified Nursing Assistant, State of Colorado