Myla Lehman proudly showed her artwork adorned with a first place red, white and blue ribbon to her parents and sister. Her family is not in the military, but Myla said she has friends whose family members have been deployed.
“I thought about how they must feel,” the Red Mill Elementary fifth grader said.
Her painting of a young girl with two sets of feelings, during deployment and after, is one of almost 800 pieces of artwork from more than 60 Virginia Beach City Public Schools on display in the “Art of Being a Military Child” exhibit at Lynnhaven Mall through April.
The exhibit is in its 12th year celebrating the Month of the Military Child and is presented in partnership with the mall and Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story and Naval Air Station Oceana-Dam Neck.
The art contest was open to all students. Participants and award winners were recognized at the exhibit’s opening reception on April 10. The event featured a variety of guest speakers, along with an array of patriotic tunes by the Independence Middle School band.
Superintendent Dr. Donald Robertson Jr. welcomed guests and thanked those in the military for their sacrifices and for protecting our freedoms.
Capt. David Gray, installation commander, Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, praised the military families. “These children should be recognized for their character, courage and resilience,” he said.
Caroline H., who attends Alanton Elementary, painted a picture of an embrace with a military service member during a homecoming. Her father is deployed a lot, according to her artist statement.
“What this artwork means to me is the unforgettable feeling of your loved one coming home after what feels like forever,” she wrote.
Fairfield Elementary third grader Emily F.’s artwork features a dog named “Demo,” who she described in her artist statement as “the USO dog on the boat” where her family member is stationed.
“I wish to meet Demo to thank him for the love and smiles he brings,” Emily wrote.
Rebecca Davila and Stefanie Hall are military school counselors who help families and students of active-duty military, and those of retirees and reservist parents and guardians.
“Not everyone can understand what it’s like being in a military family,” Davila said. The art exhibit provides students the chance to share feelings on a variety of topics, she said.
Messages conveyed through the students’ art include deployment, cultures experienced, transitioning to a new home and school, and patriotism.
Plaza Middle School art teacher Anne Waterfield knows all about what many of the 16,000 military connected VBCPS students go through, as she grew up in a Navy family.
“The hardest thing is moving and always having a new friend ahead of you,” she said. The opportunity for children to express their feelings through art helps others understand what military service all is about, she said.
Dan Heely helped present the art awards. The United States Air Force colonel was deployed seven times during his more than 20-year career. His three daughters made lots of sacrifices, he said.
He walked through the exhibit after the awards ceremony and complimented the student artists. Seeing military life through a child’s lens is impactful, he said.
“It hits home.”
2024 “The Art of Being a Military Child” Winners:
Elementary School Level (Grades K-2)
First Place: Marilyn Nault, Kingston Elementary
Second Place : Aniya Bazemore, John B. Dey Elementary
Third Place: Zoey Kihorany, Centerville Elementary
Honorable mention: Ava Amerine, Kingston Elementary
Elementary School Level (Grades 3-5)
First Place: Myla Lehman, Red Mill Elementary
Second Place: Sophia Tyree, White Oaks Elementary
Third Place: Griffin Landis, Strawbridge Elementary
Honorable mention: Kealana Smith, Fairfield Elementary
Middle School Level
First Place: Ada Colton, Virginia Beach Middle
Second Place: Sebastian Denecke, Bayside Middle
Third Place: Delilah Ubri, Landstown Middle
Honorable mention: Ritika Nisaraj, Old Donation School
High School Level
First Place: Mikayla Piorun, Kellam High School
Second Place: Anessa Bernard, Kellam High School
Third Place: Levi Schueneman, Salem High School
Honorable mention: Glyza Beltran, Salem High School