Spotlight on Military Child of the Year Recipients

We are excited to share this episode on the extraordinary lives of military children who have been recognized as the Operation Homefront 2025 Military Child of the Year® recipients from the National Guard, Space Force, Navy, and Army families. Join us as Emily, Natalia, Mason, and Maribel share stories of resilience and appreciation for growing up in military families.   This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Maxwell-Gunter Spouses’ Club To learn more, visit https://www.maxwellgunterspousesclub.com/.   Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas. Show Notes: Resources:   Operation Homefront https://operationhomefront.org/   Military Child of the Year Award Recipients https://operationhomefront.org/military-child-of-the-year/   Bio: Emily, the Operation Homefront 2025 Military Child of the Year for the National Guard is 18, and the daughter of Rebecca and Juan Carlos Baldeosingh, an Army National Guard sergeant who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.  Her stepfather, retired Marine Sgt. Maj. Skip Amaker, served 26 years. His tenure included five deployments to Iraq and one to Afghanistan.   Emily was 2 when her mother received the news on June 29, 2009, that Juan Carlos was among four North Carolina guardsmen killed in Iraq when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle. He first served in the Marine Corps but transitioned to civilian life and, in 2008, joined the Guard.  Being part of a Gold Star Family has shaped Emily.   “I have grown up with the utmost respect for our country and those who serve to protect our freedom,” she said. “My family has always made it a top-tier priority to stay hopeful and stay positive through everything.”    Natalia, the Operation Homefront 2025 Military Child of the Year for the Space Force, finds opportunity in the challenges that face military families.  Natalia, 17, is the daughter of Maria Tapia and Chief Master Sgt. Jay Harris, who has served in the Air Force and Space Force since 1995. He is currently senior enlisted leader at Vandenberg Space Force Base.   Natalia understands the hardships of changing friend groups and adapting to new cultures after attending ​​12 schools and enduring seven PCS moves that have taken the family to five states and ​​​​one foreign country.  At first, she saw the constant change and upheaval as a disadvantage. However, her perspective changed, and she learned to value resiliency.   “I chose to shift my mindset, and now I appreciate the ​​ 12 supportive schools, ​​12 reliable friend groups, and seven different places that I can proudly call home,” she said. “Every one of these experiences has profoundly influenced my journey, instilling in me a deep appreciation for resilience and the importance of building meaningful connections.”    Mason, the Operation Homefront 2025 Military Child of the Year for the Navy, earned a bachelor’s degree before most of his peers finished high school. He reached the accelerated milestone while balancing academics with caregiving responsibilities at home.  Mason, 19, is the son of Melissa and Chief Warrant Officer Jason Mosher of Marysville, Washington. Jason, a 20-year veteran of the Navy, serves as N6A at Commander Naval Surface Group Northwest and is based at Naval Station Everett.   The family has made four PCS moves, including two to Japan, and Mason’s father has been away on deployments, patrols, and missions at sea for 97 months.   A homeschool student, Mason excels despite challenges of dysgraphia, a learning difference that affects written work and motor skills. He graduated high school at 16 and completed his associate degree from Liberty University four months later. He kept up the pace, and less than two years later graduated cum laude from Liberty University with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and advertising.    Maribel is Operation Homefront’s 2025 Military Child of the Year for the Army is founding and presiding over a youth volunteering organization when her family was stationed in Japan, serving with the Red Cross, and dedicating herself to improving childhood literacy are just a few of the reasons.  She is 17, lives in Kentucky where her father, Lt. Col. Nicholas Sikes, is stationed at Fort Knox. Her mom, Audrey Sikes, homeschools Maribel and her four younger siblings.   In considering colleges, along with the usual items like location, financial aid, and aligning majors, Maribel must consider her food allergies and whether she can access allergen-free food stations. Her allergies and medical conditions are why she wants to study supply chain management and attend school in the Southeast.  “I want to ensure that other kids will not be worried about where their next meal is coming from because the grocery store is out of the right allergy-friendly foods,” she said. “With a degree in supply chain…I will be able to make a difference in other people’s lives by providing enough safe food for them.”    Full biographies can be found at https://operationhomefront.org/2025-military-child-of-the-year-award-recipients/?internal_medium=internal&internal_source=banner&internal_campaign=thd-oh-25-03-internal-mcoy-traff&internal_content=D2503W61SB&sourceid=1153486.