JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
Thirteen-year-old Hunter Johnson, a Randolph Middle School student, is in the running for the 2014 Military Child of the Year Award. The award recognizes children from each military service branch who demonstrate leadership and resiliency in the face of military family life hardship.
The eighth-grader was selected as one of 155 semi-finalists from 25 states, Puerto Rico and five overseas locations - and is the only Air Force representative from Texas.
He was nominated by his mother, April Johnson, who is married to Tech Sgt. Johnathon Johnson, Air Force Personnel Center cyber operations scheduler. The Johnsons came to Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph from Schriever Air Force Base, Colo., in 2011.
Since his birth, Hunter's family has changed duty stations three times.
With a schedule consisting of Boy Scouts, Royal Rangers, band, football, track and field, wrestling and maintaining straight A' s, that leaves about one day a week free. April said Hunter's character is truly defined in those moments at home.
"Whether he's taking out the trash without me asking, helping out when the car breaks down or spending time with his younger brother, he has compassion for other people," April said. "In addition to school, that's a lot for any kid to handle."
"The toughest part of military life is relocation," Hunter said. "It's still hard to build friendships and then move, but it's gotten easier," he said. "I keep in touch with people through playing Xbox online and texting them."
Hunter's father cited a recent example of his son's resiliency in everyday life.
"He was sore from a workout he did the day before wrestling practice and didn't feel like going, but he went anyway and gave 110 percent," Johnathon said. "He carries a 'will-do' attitude when faced with obstacles. He's always been that way."
Faced with the chance of another PCS for his family later this year, Hunter said he'll continue to keep himself busy wherever he goes and, when valuable free time comes, continue to play video games, go paintballing and keep up with friends.
His goal is to enroll in the Air Force Academy and become a fighter pilot.
Semi-finalists will be interviewed by award staff and winners chosen by a committee of active-duty and retired military members, spouses of senior military leaders, veterans service organization leaders, teachers and others.
Recipients of the Military Child of the Year Award for each service branch will be announced in March, flown to Washington, D.C., for a recognition ceremony April 10 and receive $5,000.