The 13th annual “Art of Being a Military Child” art exhibit officially opened and will be at Lynnhaven Mall for April, the “Month of the Military Child.”
Approximately 550 pieces of artwork by students are featured in the exhibit presented by VBCPS in partnership with the mall, Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story and Naval Air Station Oceana-Dam Neck.
Lucia Lopresti drew a picture of the USS San Antonio, which has special meaning to the Kellam High School sophomore.
She was born while her father was deployed on the Navy ship and didn’t meet him until she was 6 months old.
“I decided to draw that ship in honor of what my dad had to miss as a result of his service,” Lucia wrote in her artist’s statement.
Throughout his more than 20 years in the Navy, Lucia said her father – like so many who serve their country – sacrificed a lot, including missing out on special family occasions, such as birthdays and holidays.
Talia McKnight painted a picture of a military airplane flying in the clouds with an American flag as a backdrop.
“I see these planes fly above my school,” the Kempsville Meadows third grader said.
She proudly stated that her grandfather served in the Army.
Paula Pacheco’s patriotic artwork was a salute to all Americans who served their country, she said.
“Many people died and risked their lives,” said the Indian Lakes Elementary third grader.
Red Mill Elementary fourth grader Katie Tereshko’s father is in the Navy.
She drew herself and her father in uniform holding hands.
“He goes away sometimes, and this is us reconnecting after,” she explained.
Point ‘O View Elementary art teacher JoAnn Baxter has a Professional Studies Graduate Certificate from Old Dominion University to help educators who teach military connected children.
Allowing children of military families to express their thoughts and talents in the art show helps them feel connected in the community, Baxter said.
“It helps them feel accepted and not seem different.”
Many wore purple to the exhibit’s April 2 opening reception. The color symbolizes all branches of the military: a combination of Army green, Coast Guard blue, Air Force blue, Marine red and Navy blue.
The Independence Middle School band played patriotic music and VBCPS Superintendent Dr. Donald Robertson Jr. welcomed guests.
“This is an important opportunity to honor the joys and challenges our military families face each day,” he said.
Robertson praised teachers and school counselors for making sure the military-connected students have the support needed to succeed in school. “Military families are the backbone of our Armed Forces.”
He noted that more than 12,000 VBCPS students have a connection to an active-duty service member.
Installation Commander, Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story Navy Capt. David Gray said children whose parents are in the military face many challenges.
“They attend as many as nine schools and move three times as much as their civilian counterparts,” he noted.
He praised their “strength, character and resilience.”
First Colonial High alum Tom Crabbs, military liaison secretary of veterans and defense affairs, grew up in a military family.
He addressed the artists.
Children in military families also serve their country by supporting their loved ones, he said.
“As an artist you display the core values of honor courage and commitment.”
Cox High School sophomore Natalie Lasia, a finalist in the Boys and Girls Club’s Military Youth of the Year, read the poem “The Dandelion – the Flower of a Military Child. “
The poem by an unknown author compares children in military families to the flower and describes them as “hardy and upright” and “ready to fly in the breezes that take them to new adventures, new lands, and new friends.”
2025 “The Art of Being a Military Child” winners:
Elementary School Level (Grades K-2)
First Place: Zarina Gonzalez, Parkway Elementary
Second Place: Rosemarie Tiley, Luxford Elementary
Third Place: Jordan Andoscia, Strawbridge Elementary
Honorable Mention: Garrett Williams, New Castle Elementary
Elementary School Level (Grades 3-5)
First Place: Abigail Wilson, Strawbridge
Second Place: Kealana Smith, Fairfield Elementary
Third Place: Sophia Goddard, Alanton Elementary
Honorable Mention: Logan Cittadino, Centerville Elementary
Middle School Level
First Place: Ada Colton, Virginia Beach Middle
Second Place: Lauren Mears, Virginia Beach Middle
Third Place: Autumn Wang, Independence Middle
Honorable Mention: Kezelohani Menor, Landstown Middle
High School Level
First Place: Serenity Lynch, Landstown High School
Second Place: Lillian Yoder, Bayside High School
Third Place: Charlie Ballard, Kellam High School
Honorable Mention: Lucia Lopresti, Kellam High School
