WRHS Student Finalist for Air Force Military Child of the Year | Community Spirit

HOUSTON COUNTY, GA – Warner Robins High School senior Caitlin Ratley was selected as a Top 20 finalist for the Air Force Military Child of the Year.  This award honors military children who are leaders within their families and communities.  Finalists demonstrate resilience, strength of character and an ability to thrive on military life.

Operation Homefront announced 100 semi-finalists with 20 representing each branch of Service.  For the second consecutive year, the award will be given to an outstanding military child from each branch of Service – Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.  Semi-finalists were interviewed by Operation Homefront staff the end of January.  Award recipients will be chosen by a committee consisting of active duty military, Family Readiness Support Assistants, teachers, military mothers and community members.  

The recipient of the Military Child of the Year Award for each branch of Service will be announced March 8, 2012.  Recipients will each receive $5,000 and will be flown with a parent or guardian to Washington, D.C. for a special recognition ceremony on April 5, 2012.    

“The sons and daughters of America’s service members learn what patriotism is at a very young age,” said Jim Knotts, President & CEO of Operation Homefront.  “Children in military families understand sacrifice and live with the concept of service.  This is what the Military Child of the Year Award honors.”

Caitlin was nominated by her parents, Russel and Lisa Ratley, because of her volunteer activities.  Last school year while a junior at Warner Robins High, she was a student mentor for students transitioning from Crossroads, and this year she is a mentor for students with special needs.  She was also involved in her school’s Tuscaloosa tornado relief effort, volunteering several weekends collecting funds and supplies with the school band.  Caitlin and 20 other teens helped pack the supplies into boxes and loaded a semi-trailer.  Ultimately, she was the only student to travel to Tuscaloosa to deliver the donations.  While there, she volunteered with other relief teams to unload supplies from all over the southeast.  In addition, Caitlin is involved with her church youth group.  She traveled to south Georgia with several young adults where they spent a week repairing an orphanage and several other buildings on the property.  Caitlin enjoys working with children and plans to become a teacher.  At Christ School, she tutors and reads to students, as well as assists with paperwork and other tasks.

Caitlin’s father remarked, “As parents, we are very proud of her and her accomplishments.  She is truly a very caring young adult with a kind heart.”