LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. – April celebrates the month of the military child, their resilience and strength. There are about 80 students from military families at Los Alamitos High School. Each and every one of them knows what it means to be a child of the military.

Ms. Kiko, the LAHS military counselor, and McGaugh Elementary teacher Miss McClellan created a pen-pal program where military kids from LAHS and McGaugh Elementary exchange letters and poems, reaching across grade levels to share words of reassurance and understanding. The hope is for the high schoolers to resonate with the younger students and serve as mentors and friends.

“We’re trying to help these kids who aren’t super old and have experienced a couple of moves, who are a little bit emotional. We’ll just assure them that everything’s (going to) be okay, maybe how to cope with it, and just share our experiences with each other,” said LAHS student Leanna McGregor, who is also a part of the pen-pal program.

The values that the pen-pal program promotes, empathy and connection, represent the spirit of the Month of the Military Child. For the young students at McGaugh Elementary, knowing they have a friend at the high school gives them a sense of belonging and someone to look up to.

After students from LAHS reached out to McGaugh students to let them know they weren’t alone in their struggle as a military kid, they received touching responses from the elementary schoolers.

“Dear high schoolers, I noticed leaving friends is hard because I had to say goodbye but I still love today,” wrote Kingston, a third grader.

Another third grader named Bermah wrote: “Thanks for being with me. I loved how you understand me because you are my best and new friends.”

On April 12, there was a celebratory event of the pen pal program: a vibrant poetry slam held at McGaugh Elementary School.

High school students and their elementary pen pals shared their poems in front of an enthusiastic audience. The event solidified friendships created through the pen pal program and gave elementary students the chance to meet their real-life high school heroes.

McGregor shared how her father has been in the military for 25 years and will soon be retiring. Growing up, she moved every four years and constantly had to readjust to her new life. She will be on her eighth and final move soon.

“Being able to share my experience and talk to these kids who are gonna experience this too when they’re older, it’s very rewarding,” she said.

In a world that can feel fast-paced and challenging at times, the pen-pal program at LAHS serves as a reminder of human connection and empathy. As the month of April comes to a close, we recognize the strength of military children in our community. This program shows just one of the many ways that students can come together to offer support for each other, even though they might be far apart.

The pen-pal program high school group meets every other Tuesday at lunch. To join, a parent or close friend must be military personnel. See Ms. Kiko in the LAHS College and Career Center if you’re interested!

Thank you, military families, for your unwavering strength, sacrifice, and service.