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.
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.
Operation Homefront has announced the seven extraordinary recipients of its 2026 Military Child of the Year® Award.
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.
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.
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.
Tremaine Levarity joined the Navy in 2019 at the age of 37 because serving her country was something she always wanted to do. Her kids were older, with the youngest turning 13 and the oldest in their 20s.
Ashakyia Blocker was a teenager looking for stability when she enlisted in the Navy right after she turned 18.
Jack Kabwilo enlisted in the Air Force in 2024 because he wanted to learn a new trade and find a career path to support his family.
As Emily Baldeosingh walks across the campus of High Point University in North Carolina, fellow students ask about the Military Child of the Year® logo on her backpack.
