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Tetris
Lara O.
Arlington, VA
4 people. One carrying luggage, two checked luggage each. 12 suitcases, all you need to survive 3 months as a nomad, all in the trunk of one minivan. This is what we do, and if it doesn’t fit, we’ll make it fit.
Arlington, VA
4 people. One carrying luggage, two checked luggage each. 12 suitcases, all you need to survive 3 months as a nomad, all in the trunk of one minivan. This is what we do, and if it doesn’t fit, we’ll make it fit.
Return to Yongsan
Zoe B.
South Korea
This piece depicts the surreal feeling I had when visiting a past duty station: the now closed Yongsan Base in Seoul. I was there from 2014-2018. I moved there when I was 5 and left when I was 9. When I came back, everything was covered in vines: my house, my friends’ houses, the playgrounds. If you are interested and live in the area, you can go to the Yongsan base. They have an area open to the public featuring houses just like mine that have been converted to museums. If you go, say hi to 8 year old me ;)
South Korea
This piece depicts the surreal feeling I had when visiting a past duty station: the now closed Yongsan Base in Seoul. I was there from 2014-2018. I moved there when I was 5 and left when I was 9. When I came back, everything was covered in vines: my house, my friends’ houses, the playgrounds. If you are interested and live in the area, you can go to the Yongsan base. They have an area open to the public featuring houses just like mine that have been converted to museums. If you go, say hi to 8 year old me ;)
Unbroken Record
Lara O.
Arlington, Virginia
The phrase “a broken record” refers to something repeated over and over again. Sometimes, life as a military teen can feel like that, the same moving cycle restarting every two years. However, no cycle is exactly the same, and through all the different moves, we remain resilient and unbroken.
Arlington, Virginia
The phrase “a broken record” refers to something repeated over and over again. Sometimes, life as a military teen can feel like that, the same moving cycle restarting every two years. However, no cycle is exactly the same, and through all the different moves, we remain resilient and unbroken.
Waiting
Claudia G.
Maryland
This piece is about several things. For one, it is what it is like after your parents retire. You live in one place for around 3 years and then that summer, you feel the itch. The itch to move somewhere new. The next move will be to college. So you are left in a weird place. the other meaning is what it is like in the military. You have an assignment for 3 years, but it could be 2, or it might be 4. You are waiting to know when the time will come, and after a certain point, it becomes all you can think about. Summer means waiting. Summer means moving, but you are unsure when you will be moving next.
Maryland
This piece is about several things. For one, it is what it is like after your parents retire. You live in one place for around 3 years and then that summer, you feel the itch. The itch to move somewhere new. The next move will be to college. So you are left in a weird place. the other meaning is what it is like in the military. You have an assignment for 3 years, but it could be 2, or it might be 4. You are waiting to know when the time will come, and after a certain point, it becomes all you can think about. Summer means waiting. Summer means moving, but you are unsure when you will be moving next.
Call Failed
Claudia G.
Maryland
This piece is about what it is like to have friendships that never fall apart, they just end. As a military kid, we lose many many friends, and this piece is a reminder that we can't ever find those old friends again. They are people of our past, not to return to our future. That is a burden we have to carry.
Maryland
This piece is about what it is like to have friendships that never fall apart, they just end. As a military kid, we lose many many friends, and this piece is a reminder that we can't ever find those old friends again. They are people of our past, not to return to our future. That is a burden we have to carry.
Thrive
Gabriella H.
Texas
Just like flowers people can bloom and grow in unexpected places. Moving around so much growing up has helping me grow as a person and learn new things the were unexpected.
Texas
Just like flowers people can bloom and grow in unexpected places. Moving around so much growing up has helping me grow as a person and learn new things the were unexpected.
Home is Where the Army Sends Us
Lara O.
Arlington, VA
"With every move a military teen goes through comes a new house. Each house comes with its own set of features and memories. This piece depicts a house made up of the most memorable features from all the unique homes I’ve lived in."
Arlington, VA
"With every move a military teen goes through comes a new house. Each house comes with its own set of features and memories. This piece depicts a house made up of the most memorable features from all the unique homes I’ve lived in."
Blanket Piano
Lara O.
Arlington, VA
During PCS, pianos and other instruments are stuck on a truck or boat and sent to their next destination. During that time, musicians need something else to practice on, something else to remind them of home.
Arlington, VA
During PCS, pianos and other instruments are stuck on a truck or boat and sent to their next destination. During that time, musicians need something else to practice on, something else to remind them of home.
Seeds of Friendship
Zoe B.
South Korea
This piece illustrates how military-connected friend groups can be split apart by multiple moves, and when that happens it's hard for everyone involved. Everyone flies off on their own path, at first soaring through the air (figuratively and, often, literally), with nothing to think about but all you're leaving behind... and all there is to come. And while you may not stay in touch with that friend group, you'll always remember them as where your seed came from, as you land and grow your roots and your flowers up to the sky and meet new friends. Then on a windy day you fly away again to a new location, leaving another stem behind. But the stems always stay with you.
South Korea
This piece illustrates how military-connected friend groups can be split apart by multiple moves, and when that happens it's hard for everyone involved. Everyone flies off on their own path, at first soaring through the air (figuratively and, often, literally), with nothing to think about but all you're leaving behind... and all there is to come. And while you may not stay in touch with that friend group, you'll always remember them as where your seed came from, as you land and grow your roots and your flowers up to the sky and meet new friends. Then on a windy day you fly away again to a new location, leaving another stem behind. But the stems always stay with you.
Bloom Where You're Planted
Gabriella H.
Puerto Rico
This symbolizes how dandelions grow almost anywhere even in the most adverse conditions, they bloom anywhere they can. After being moved around many times in my life with my two little sisters I feel as though we had to “bloom” and spread our roots and get adjusted to each new place. But even so I know I will always have my sisters there with me. Which is why I decided to paint three small dandelions in the painting.
Puerto Rico
This symbolizes how dandelions grow almost anywhere even in the most adverse conditions, they bloom anywhere they can. After being moved around many times in my life with my two little sisters I feel as though we had to “bloom” and spread our roots and get adjusted to each new place. But even so I know I will always have my sisters there with me. Which is why I decided to paint three small dandelions in the painting.
Reunions
Alannisse S.
Puerto Rico
I decided to draw one of the most impactful moments of my early childhood relating to the military. I know we all go through that pain of missing a parent or guardian at some point when they're deployed for an extended period of time. It just makes seeing them again all the sweeter.
Puerto Rico
I decided to draw one of the most impactful moments of my early childhood relating to the military. I know we all go through that pain of missing a parent or guardian at some point when they're deployed for an extended period of time. It just makes seeing them again all the sweeter.
Helping Hands
Lara Oh
Arlington, VA
Throughout their lives, military teens encounter countless friends, family members, teachers, etc. who help them grow and discover who they are. To all the people who have helped me and so many others bloom, thank you
Arlington, VA
Throughout their lives, military teens encounter countless friends, family members, teachers, etc. who help them grow and discover who they are. To all the people who have helped me and so many others bloom, thank you
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