At just 18, Lila Morgan has already achieved remarkable feats, from founding nonprofits to penning a book, and is soon to graduate college. Her accomplishments have earned her recognition in the nation’s capital, where she stands among seven extraordinary young females honored as 2026 Military Child of the Year Award recipients.
Morgan, daughter of an Army National Guard soldier, embraces her identity as a military child, using her experiences to enrich her life and those in her community. “It’s an absolutely surreal feeling that I could not put into words,” Morgan shared with Military.com. “We didn’t necessarily choose to be military children, but we chose to make something in our lives from it—to use adversity to propel and be more resilient individuals.”
The seven honorees have demonstrated resilience and leadership, especially as the U.S. military faces increasing international deployment due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. The award, organized by Operation Homefront, highlights the capacity of military children to transform unique challenges into impactful achievements.
2026 Honorees from Diverse Backgrounds
- Air Force: Elizabeth Stanton, 16, College Station, TX
- Army: Amani Ambay, 19, Lutz, FL
- Coast Guard: Victoria “Tori” Vanacore, 17, Kill Devil Hills, NC
- Marine Corps: Hannah Kirksey, 17, Sneads Ferry, NC
- National Guard: Lila Morgan, 18, Lithia, FL
- Navy: Ayla Zook, 18, King George, VA
- Space Force: Taylor Schreiner, 18, Colorado Springs, CO
Rear Admiral (Ret.) Alan Reyes, CEO of Operation Homefront, emphasized, “The sacrifice of military service extends beyond the individual in uniform. At Operation Homefront, we are committed to ensuring every member of the military family feels valued and empowered.”
The honorees were selected from over 1,000 nominees and have collectively moved 35 times and endured 255 months of deployments. They also contributed 4,849 volunteer hours in the year preceding the nominations. Jenny Valderas, Operation Homefront’s senior director of family support services, noted that the award celebrates the achievements of military children who endure frequent relocations and deployments.
The Journey of Lila Morgan
Lila Morgan’s journey from Auburn, California, to Tampa, Florida, has been marked by personal growth and community service. Her father’s re-enlistment in the Army National Guard when she was 11 became a pivotal moment in her life, providing her with a strong sense of identity and community.
While her father was deployed, Morgan began taking high school courses in middle school and eventually started college before high school. She completed her education with dual enrollment and Advanced Placement courses, excelling academically while engaging in numerous extracurricular activities.
Morgan’s extensive list of achievements includes over 8,300 community service hours, leading a female empowerment campaign, and participating in ROTC and Civil Air Patrol. Her passion for volunteerism was nurtured by her parents, who involved her in community service from a young age. She also founded a youth prevention program called “I Choose to Be Drug Free.”
Currently, Morgan plans to take a gap year before attending law school, aiming to study in Israel to immerse herself in the culture and language. Her ultimate goal is to serve as an Army JAG officer. She remarked, “I’m young, I’m 18, but I’ve done a lot,” with her book, Becoming Undeniable, set for publication soon.
Celebrating the Resilience of Military Children
The Military Child of the Year Awards, in its 18th year, acknowledges the resilience and contributions of military children to their communities. Valderas stated, “When the service member serves, the family serves as well, and that includes our military children.” The award honors their significant impact and involvement in the communities they live in, despite the challenges they face.
The honorees are chosen by a panel of judges who evaluate their leadership, academic excellence, extracurricular activities, and overall stories. Valderas highlighted the honorees’ dedication to excellence and resilience, showcasing the unique stories of military children across the nation.
