National nonprofit Our Military Kids announced their 6th Annual Courageous Kids Contest winners on Purple Up Day, which honors the resilience and sacrifice of military children during the Month of the Military Child. The Courageous Kids Contest celebrates children of Reserve, National Guard, and combat-injured Veterans and service members from any service branch who have shown bravery and leadership during a parent’s deployment or combat-injury care.

The 6th Annual Courageous Kids Contest was made possible thanks to Champion Sponsor Koons Tysons Toyota, Presenting Sponsors HII and Navy Federal Credit Union, and Star Sponsors GOVX, Humana Military, and the Pilot Company. “As the Champion Sponsor of the Courageous Kids Contest, we extend our gratitude and support to National Guard, Reserve, and Veteran families and thank them for their service to our Nation,” said Amar Rana, General Manager of Koons Tysons Toyota.

“We are thrilled to celebrate this year’s Courageous Kids,” said Kara Dallman, Executive Director of Our Military Kids. “We know their stories of perseverance and leadership will inspire confidence in our next generation!”

This year’s winners include musicians, caregivers, aspiring pilots, Scouts, an entrepreneur, a nonprofit founder, a firefighter, advocates, and athletes.

“As a 2026 Presenting Sponsor of the Courageous Kids Contest, we salute military children everywhere whose bravery, leadership, and resilience inspires our Nation,” said Jerome Tennille, Manager of Strategic Partnerships and Community Impact at Navy Federal Credit Union.

This year’s Courageous Kids Contest winners are:

  • Justin, 18, from Pennsylvania, winning in the National Guard/Reserve Veteran category
  • Kinley and Michael, 12 and 14, from Indiana, winning in the Army Reserve category
  • Gabriella Grace, 18, from Oklahoma, winning in the Army Reserve category
  • Jocelyn, 18, from Pennsylvania, winning in the Air Force Reserve category
  • Catherine, 6, from Louisiana, winning in the Coast Guard Reserve category
  • Jax, 4, from California, winning in the Marine Corps Reserve category
  • Aubrial, Isaiah, Hansen, Titus, and Theodore, 16, 14, 12, 11, and 6, from Michigan, winning in the Navy Reserve category
  • Hannah, 14, from Nevada, winning in the Army National Guard category
  • Paisley-Kate, 13, from Texas, winning in the Army National Guard category
  • BreeAnna, 18, from Idaho, winning in the Air National Guard category
  • Gianna and Dylan, 9 and 12, from South Carolina, winning in the Air National Guard category
  • Vyolet, 16, from Colorado, winning in the Army Veteran category
  • Xavier, 18, from Virginia, winning in the Air Force Veteran category
  • Connor, 17, from New Hampshire, winning in the Marine Corps Veteran category
  • Francesco, 14, from Louisiana, winning in the Navy Veteran category
  • Natalee, 16, from Iowa, winning in the Hidden Helper Hero category
  • Elysia, 16, from Nevada, winning in the Hidden Helper Hero category
  • Jack, 17, from California, winning in the Hidden Helper Hero category
  • Andie, 11, from North Carolina, winning in the Hidden Helper Hero category
  • Atlas, 10, from Indiana, winning in the Hidden Helper Hero category

“From building ships and advanced technologies to building character, HII believes that it is important to stand alongside our nation’s service members. Our repeat sponsorship of the Courageous Kids Contest affirms our commitment to supporting and celebrating those on the home-front, too,” said Edmond Hughes, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at HII.

Winners will each receive a cash stipend, national recognition, prizes from GOVX, and certificates. Our Military Kids is sharing their stories through feature articles and on social media throughout April.

About Our Military Kids

Our Military Kids is a national nonprofit that offers year-round activity funding for the children (ages 1-18) of deployed National Guard, deployed Reserve, or Veterans and service members from any branch who are receiving care for combat-related injuries or illnesses. Learn more and apply at: ourmilitarykids.org/apply