Ryker Howard is the second place winner in the elementary category of the Stars and Stripes America 250 Youth Essay Contest. Ryker is a military-affiliated kid who attends Freedom Elementary School in Missouri where is is currently in the fifth grade.

The essay prompt was: “How has being part of a military (or military-affiliated) family shaped how you think about America?”

My name is Ryker Howard. I am eleven years old and part of a military family. I have lived in five states and moved four times. In this essay, you will learn how being in a military family has shaped the way I think about America.

The biggest way being a part of a military family has changed my life is through all the moves. Each time we move, we meet new communities, cultures, and people. This has helped me to get to know many people and see how diverse America really is.

Living in different places also showed me both the strengths of our country and areas for improvement. One strength is schools’ ability to welcome military students and provide them with the resources they need. Another strength is the mix of experiences and skills people bring from across the country, which helps America adapt to change.

A weakness that I have seen is also in the schools I have attended. Each state has a different curriculum and testing standards. For example, in Colorado, I tested into a gifted math program. In Missouri, I did not test high enough to get into the gifted program. 

Being part of a military family has given me a strong sense of pride, resilience, and gratitude. It has taught me that being American is not just where you live, but it is the commitment and sacrifice. This is how being in a military family has shaped the way I think about America because of the moves and the schools.