LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Permanent changes of station, deployments and temporary duty assignments can often affect the sense of continuity children seek at home, at school and within their social lives.
The Department of Defense recognizes the sacrifices U.S. Service members' children make as they stand by their parents in service to their nation.
For one area youth, understanding, accepting and making the best of changes caused by his father's U.S. Air Force career aided in his journey of community service.
Justice Wade, 15-year-old son of U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Michael Wade, 1st Maintenance Squadron aerospace ground equipment assistant flight chief, and Chrystal Wade, 633rd Force Support Squadron school-age training technician, recently earned the title of Virginia-Washington, D.C. Military Youth of the Year, awarded by the Boys & Girls Club of America for his ability to persevere through military life.
According to the B&GC website, the Military Youth of the Year honor is a distinct component of the National Youth of the Year program, which recognizes a club member who has overcome enormous odds and demonstrated exceptional character and accomplishments.
Despite several moves due to military assignments and deployments, Justice maintained his efforts as an avid volunteer and mentor by influencing children in the Langley Youth Programs. He is the vocal captain for his school's show choir, a member of his school's varsity soccer team and participates in multiple national teen councils, all while maintaining a 4.19 grade point average in honors and advanced placement classes.
Justice said his motivation to work hard and help others came from the example his parents set. His love for leadership and mentoring other children stemmed from helping his mother at work.
"I was a six-year-old thinking of ways to help her with work and trying to tell adults what to do, but that didn't go over too well," he said, laughing. "Once I got a little bit older I learned my place and really started helping from there."
Along with his B&GC achievement, Justice and his father were recognized by the mayor of Hampton on behalf of the North Hampton Civic Union for volunteer work throughout the city and their efforts in reconditioning an overgrown nature trail near their home.
"This is a big step for [Justice] to be recognized. His dad and I are both extremely proud of him," his mother said. "The children [in the youth programs] recognize his hard work and want to be like him. He has a positive impact on more of the kids than he knows."
Justice said he would not be able to participate in all he does if it weren't for the unwavering support of his parents.
"I couldn't be more proud of Justice's achievements," his father said. "I'm not sure where he gets all of the energy to do everything but his successes are 90 percent his effort and 10 percent motivation from me and his mom."
Justice will compete for the Southeast Region Military Youth of the Year title this summer.