Alise W...
Kinnick High School
I am a Gold Star child, which means I have experienced the loss of a parent who served in the military. Currently, I am attending a DoDEA school in Japan, where the military community has been a pillar of support in my life. Since my father's passing, the military has stood by me through all challenges, providing not only emotional support but also invaluable financial assistance. Attending a DoDEA school in Japan has offered me the opportunity to connect with an amazing community, fostering a deep sense of belonging and shared experience that has been invaluable to my emotional well-being. As I moved to Japan, my options were to go to either an international school or a DODEA school. I am familiar and more comfortable to stay connected to military life since I am a former military child and this is where I feel most at home.