NORFOLK, Va. — April is the month of the military child, and Naval Station Norfolk's Youth of the Year winner has advanced to win the state competition. Jade Pagan Abreu is now Virginia’s Military Youth of the Year award winner as well.
The 17-year-old Nansemond River High School senior is busy. She’s a skilled artist, describing her style as “mixed-medium.”
“I work with a vast variety of mediums in order to create one piece of art,” she said.
Pagan Abreu's dad has been a member of the U.S. Coast Guard for nearly two decades. He’s currently based in California, but the family has lived in Oregon, Puerto Rico and Florida.
“This past year we've been separate,” said Jade. “He made the decision that he would go by himself and we’d stay here in order for me to finish my senior year.”
Jade’s mom, Melissa, describes being a military family as “tough.” “I'm not going to lie, it’s a lot of sacrifices,” she explained. “You have to be ready to support your partner at any second, but it’s an opportunity, not a punishment.”
“I get to meet people of so many different perspectives and cultures,” added Jade. “It’s an opportunity.”
The Military Youth of the Year program is in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Winners at each level are eligible to win scholarship money, but must also commit to academic and service requirements.
“I’ve done more than 200 service hours with the program alone, but it’s really just making sure you’re involved with your community and showing that you care,” said Jade.
Now that Jade has been named Virginia’s Military Youth of the Year, she’ll compete at a regional competition in May. From there, five entrants will be selected to move to the national level.
Melissa says she’s proud of Jade’s work so far and thinks participating in the program will open doors for her daughter in the future.
“I’m so proud of her. I cannot be more than that. I already told her, ‘to infinity and beyond.’”