Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart has joined in commemorating the Month of the Military Child. It began with a special ceremony on April 6 honoring the school’s two students from military families.

“Thank you to our military guests for joining our community as we acknowledge and applaud military-connected youth and their families for their service, commitment, daily sacrifices, and challenges they face and overcome,” Head of School Dawn Nichols, Ph.D., said in her opening remarks. “The April 2022 Month of the Military Child theme is ‘Standing Strong and Proud.’ Today, Woodlands Academy stands strong and proud in support of the two students we honor as daughters of active-duty service members.”

The featured speaker was Lt. Col. Joseph Common, operations officer, 9th Marine Corps District. “It’s an honor to be here, and we appreciate what you’re doing here today,” he said. “This speaks volumes about Woodlands Academy’s dedication to service. I guarantee this recognition will resonate in the lives of those receiving it forever more.” Commons then presented certificates of recognition to junior Madison Nekvinda and sophomore Nakeiya Banks.

In addition, the Woodlands Academy ceremony featured a Marine color guard, Marine ushers and two trucks wrapped in a Marine Corps emblem in front of the school. Afterward, the military and other guests took a tour of the all-girls college-prep day-and-boarding high school in Lake Forest.

Special guests included Kwame Crawford, outreach coordinator and caseworker/defense & veterans affairs in U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth’s office. Crawford also is a petty officer second class in the U.S. Navy Reserve.  

Since 1986, April has been designated Month of the Military Child – a time to honor the sacrifices made by military families worldwide and, in particular, experiences of the dependent children. Month of the Military Child is sponsored by the Department of Defense Military Community and Family Policy and supported by many other organizations.

Woodlands Academy’s commemoration also will include participation in a “Purple Up! For Military Kids” event. Students, faculty and staff are being encouraged to wear purple on April 14 to support and thank military children for their strength and sacrifices. Purple indicates that all branches of the military are being supported. This is based on the thought that Air Force blue, Army green, Navy blue, Marine red, and Coast Guard blue combine as a single color, purple.

In addition to recognizing its military-family students, organizers say Woodlands Academy's first Month of the Military Child observance honors “our neighbors at nearby military facilities who protect our freedom.” Plans are already being made to do it again next April.