Honoring Our Young Creators: Month of the Military Child Contest Results

April is Military Child Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the perseverance, courage, and creativity of children with military backgrounds all over the world. United on the RoK organized a poem and photo contest this year, encouraging young people from throughout our community to express their abilities, viewpoints, and stories.

Here are our 2025 contest winners:

Poetry Contest Winners

Ages 7–10

🥇 First Place: Flowers by Olive N.

Silent meadow. One flowers alone waits until Spring comes. Spring is here and So are the flowers.

Ages 11–14

🥇 First Place: Here and There by Ava V.

Moving here, And moving there, It seems as if I'm moving everywhere! This new house, And these new friends, This new school And this cycle never ends! To say I don't mind it, would be a lie, I think of the good times. I think of when a friend did this And when a friend said that, I think of my house that was on a hill, And of the school that I grew up with. I think of this new country, Oh, and that one too! And I think of all the times I wasn't blue. I think of when my family and I, Are always there for each other, And how we'll always love one another. The thing is, I love my military life, And I'd rather live like this, Than live an unfulfilled life.

🥈 Second Place: Onward Together by Chloe L.

The laughter, the games, The friends that we meet, New cultures, new stories, Life on repeat, We learn how to adapt, How to love from afar, How to shine when it's dark, And how to reach for the stars.

🥉 Third Place: Peripatetic Heart by Olivia L.

Through every door, through every gate, Where is my home, my place, my state? Not bound by walls, or overseas, Not desert's dunes, or forest's leaves? It's in my heart; a place to grow. A place to feel, a place to know. For when my kin are far away, I feel their love from where I stay. Where will I go? I don't always know, But in my heart, my ebb and flow, Home is where my family will go.

Ages 15–18

🥇 First Place: Conversation by Ta’Miya

Step 1) Stop the car you stop your life. Step 2) Hands on the dashboard its a perfect cutting board. Step 3) Step out the car it's the last time your feet will move. Step 4) Hands up ask your ancestors to rain hell down on them. Finally step 5) you're not alive. Now you're ready my sone but just befor e you go you must know this world will never see you like a baby. To them, you're a monster but to me, you are the reason I live and yet this world doesn't want you to live the life I gave to you. Remember this conversation baby boy. Yes ma'am - They can never stop me momma even if they try in ever conversation they'll know my name.

Photo Contest Winners

Ages 4–9

🥇 First Place: Strolling in Myeongdong, Captured by Robin P.

🥈 Second Place: Viewpoint, Captured by Robin P.

🥉 Third Place: Shadows, Captured by Hazel B.

Ages 10–14

🥇 First Place: Military Kid Super Power, Captured by Dhalia H.

🥈 Second Place: Feeding the Birds, Captured by Allison F.

🥉 Third Place: Frozen in Place, Captured by Chloe L.

Ages 15–18

🥇 First Place: My Cold Countryside, Captured by Sienna U.

🥈 Second Place (Tie): A Different View, Captured by Ashlynn O.

🥈 Second Place (Tie): Summer Night Magic, Captured by Ashlynn O.

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To all participants, your stories, poems, and photos touched hearts and brought light to our community. Whether you placed or not, we are so proud of the creativity and courage you shared.

Stay connected with United on the RoK for more youth-centered opportunities. Together, we continue to celebrate the unique journeys of military kids—here, there, and everywhere in between.