In the tradition of many of our Military Child of the Year recipients, Keegan Fike makes time to make a difference.
It would be easy to label Keegan, who plans to pursue a career in the field of mathematics and is a member of the National Honor Society, as a consummate scholar. But his analytical mind is equally matched by the size of his heart.
Keegan found his focus in helping others through the Boy Scouts, and it also provided the opportunity for Keegan to step up and lead. To give back with his Eagle Scout project, Keegan restored five weather-beaten and rusted cannons at Fort Phoenix, a national landmark Fort that overlooks the bay where the first naval battle of the Revolutionary War was fought.
Keegan also has a creative side. The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Boston/New England honored Keegan with an excellence award for a high school media production titled “My Hero Is …,” for which he was a photographer and editor.
A young man committed to his faith, Keegan also devotes time to service at his church.
Keegan has endured 125 months of his father’s deployment and has experienced six military permanent change of station relocations. His favorite quote by Marcus Aurelius reflects a common belief that we see among many of our military children as to what sustains them: “Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.” Keegan said this quote helped him to “stay positive,” adding, “All my life, I have tried to be happy and be a reassuring force for my peers. The positive state of mind I try to keep helps me stay focused and be the best I can be.”
Keegan is the son of Rebecca Fike and Coast Guard Lt. Brent Fike of Fairhaven, Massachusetts.
This week, we will be shining a spotlight on each of our Military Child of the Year Award recipients, as well as the first ever recipient of the Operation Homefront-Booz Allen Hamilton Innovation Award. Be sure to check back daily or follow us on Twitter or Facebook for updates. In addition, throughout the months of April and May, we invite you to show your appreciation by sending a message of thanks and sharing #Mission2Honor with your friends and family.
Our heartfelt thanks to our presenting sponsor United Technologies, and all of our 2016 Military Child of the Year Award sponsors, for making this annual award one of the highlights of our year. Your support allows us to bring the stories of our military families to the forefront, making a difference in raising awareness of the challenges they face in protecting our nation.
