As we get ready to honor this year’s Military Child of the Year Award recipients in Washington DC on April 11th, we are privileged to share their inspiring examples of resiliency, leadership and achievement. Today, we’re proud to spotlight Abigail MaryRose Perdew, Marine Corps Military Child of the Year for 2013:
Abigail (“Abi”) is student council president and captain of the cross country team and track and field team. She carries a 4.1 GPA as a full International Baccalaureate (IB) senior with advanced placement courses in economics, calculus, European history and physics. She has volunteered over 200 hours this year including math tutoring. As president of Student 2 Student, she has grown the outreach of this group which helps new students acclimate to their new school and host country’s culture. Linda Berger, the IB Coordinator for Bahrain School, wrote, “In my nearly thirty years as a secondary school educator, I regard Abigail as one of my top students. She is intelligent, talented, highly motivated and positive.”
Abi has a proud history of military service on both sides of her family. Her mother, Jessica, is a former Marine who now works in accounting. Her father, Jason, is a Lieutenant Colonel with Marine Corps Forces Central Command. Abi’s paternal grandfather served in the Air Force and three grand-uncles served in the Marine Corps, including one West Point graduate. Abi’s maternal great-grandfathers both served, one in the Air Force and the other served in the Navy as a Seabee during WWII. And her mother’s uncle served in the Air Force.
Seeing the world is Abi’s favorite part of being part of a military family. She says, “I’ve seen and learned things that many kids never will. Traveling has given me an open mind towards new cultures and people; I’m willing to try anything once. I believe that moving around has made me the optimist and friendly person that I am today.”
Abi has earned an appointment to the United States Naval Academy and plans to study development economics and Arabic. She would like to work as an attaché or Foreign Area Officer and in the long term, as a diplomat or run for public office. Somewhere in there, she would also enjoy teaching elementary students.
Abi enjoys spending time with family and friends, especially singing and rooting for their favorite X Factor contestants. Abi is the daughter of Jessica and Jason Perdew. Abi has two older siblings, William and Ashley and two younger brothers, Ethan and Andrew.
Service Highlights
Math tutor
Student to Student, President
Sunday School teacher
Love 146, Vice President
Other Highlights
Varsity cross country team, Captain
Varsity track & field team, Captain
Swim team
Junior Class Secretary
Student Council President
FFA, Greenhand President
National Creed Speaking Award
National Honor Society
Favorite Quote: Abi says, ” I know the importance of doing what’s right and sticking to what you believe. It can be difficult sometimes, but I try to stand up for what I believe in, even if it means rejecting the majority. It doesn’t matter what other people think of me; it only matters what I think of myself. I would rather maintain my integrity and do what is right, than follow the crowd.”
Don’t be afraid to stand for what you believe in, even if that means standing alone. ~ Unknown
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The fifth annual Military Child of the Year Awards will be presented April 11, 2013 at the Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City. In addition to the trip to our nation’s capital, recipients are awarded a laptop computer and a $5,000 cash prize.
