Vienna Senior Named Military Child Of Year For Coast Guard

VIENNA, VA — A high school senior from Vienna was named the 2022 Military Child of the Year for the Coast Guard by Operation Homefront.

Operation Homefront, a nonprofit serving military families, gave the Coast Guard branch award to Kathryn Alonso, a 17-year-old George C. Marshall High School senior. Alonso is the daughter of Capt. Ricardo Alonso and Michelle Alonso. While her military family has dealt with five relocations in her life, the high school senior has adjusted by serving others in her community.

Operation Homefront recognized Alonso for the ways she has served others. According to the nonprofit, Alonso put together a neighborhood fun run, held picnics for children and organized sports camps for children when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down schools and workplaces. She got involved with the 29 Diner's Community First Initiative, helping to secure funds, food and clothing for families and Afghan refugees. She even held a canned food drive in place of her 16th birthday party during the pandemic.

Another inspiration for her volunteer work was her grandfather, who had Alzheimer's and got to be with the family in his final days. Alonso was motivated to do volunteer work with the Alzheimer’s Association, the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, and the Longest Day events.

The high school senior is involved with numerous other activities. Alonso has worked with Special Olympics, Best Buddies, No Place for Hate and Students Helping Honduras. She is a member of the National Honor Society, track team and choir and was selected for the Hispanic College Institute, a pre-college program at Virginia Tech.

In the future, Alonso plans to pursue a career as a teacher or school counselor, according to Operation Homefront.

April marks the Month of the Military Child. For 14 years, Operation Homefront has given Military Child of the Year awards to young people who have made a difference in their military families, schools and communities. Awards are given to recipients for each branch of the military — Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Guard, and Space Force. An eighth award is an Innovation Award, given to a young person who has a solution to a local, regional or global challenge.

Alonso and other award winners will be honored at an awards gala Thursday in Arlington.