NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY, Bahrain -- The daughter of a U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command Forward Marine was selected as the Operation Homefront 2013 Military Child of the Year for the Marine Corps, Mar.5.
One child is chosen each year to represent each branch of service. The average nominee has moved five times or more, experienced a parent being deployed for 18 months or more, volunteered with service groups, averaging 75 hours during the year, have a sibling in the Exceptional Family Member Program, maintain above average grades, often with honors, excelled in sports, theatre and/or music and held leadership positions in school and community groups. This year Abigail M. Perdew was that child.
Abigail is student council president and captain of the cross-country team and track and field team. She carries a 4.1 grade point average as a full International Baccalaureate senior with advanced placement courses in economics, calculus, European history and physics. She has volunteered over 200 hours this year, including math tutoring and as president of Student 2 Student, a group which helps new students acclimate to their new school and host country culture. Abigail has earned an appointment to the United States Naval Academy and plans to study development economics and Arabic.
"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," said Linda Berger, the IB Coordinator for Bahrain School.
Maj. Katrina Patillo, MARCENT fwd’s commanding officer and family readiness officer, said the unit congratulates the Perdew family on the success of Abigail and is honored to have them as part of MARCENT.
Operation Homefront is a nonprofit organization that provides emergency assistance for U.S. military troops, the families they leave behind, and wounded warriors when they return home. As another part of the organization, and one of its signature aspects, is the Military Child of the Year program. Each year this organization recognizes children of U.S. military members who stand out among their peers in their community. According to Operation Homefront, ideal candidates for the award demonstrate resilience, strength of character and thrive in the face of the challenges of military life. They demonstrate leadership within their families and within their communities.
Abigail Perdew, daughter of one of MARCENT’s own, now sits amongst an elite group of individuals as she is inducted as the fifth Operation Homefront Marine Corps Military Child of the Year.