WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio — For children, receiving national recognition for a piece of artwork is a pretty big deal.
However, what’s even more exciting is having it on display at the White House.
Last month, in honor of the month of the military child, a group of military children representing each branch showcased what their travels mean to them.
“I enjoy art. I do it as one of my hobbies,” said Lucas Robinson as he rolled a piece of clay.
Robinson is 13 years old and clay is his favorite because he can change it and mold it into whatever he wants.
Like basketball and scouts, art is always there for him. He’s in the 7th grade and since his dad serves in the military, he’s moved 7 times already.
“I barely ever get to go to the same school twice and I have to make new friends every year. So even though it’s cool knowing people all around the United States and even in some other countries, it’s just hard having to make new friends every year or two,” Robinson said.
Recently, he let his art shine in an enormous way. He represented the U.S. Space Force by displaying his art at the White House.
Each child was tasked with decorating a mini suitcase to express themselves and their family’s travels.
“I did wooded puzzle pieces of each state I’ve lived in on the sides, and then I put pictures of my two best friends throughout all the states on the sides with the places that I met them in,” he said.
It turned into a family trip that Lucas and his younger brothers will never forget.
“I was anxious when we first entered. And when we were done with our suitcase presentation, they took us on a special tour of the White House where we got to walk around and sit on the chairs and stuff and see rooms that normal tours don’t usually get to see,” he said. “That was really fun. I didn’t think we were going to be able to do that.”
“[We’re] really proud of Lucas and the work he was able to do,” said Lucas’ dad, Lt. Col. Daniel Robinson.
Lucas’ dad spent 16 years in the U.S. Army before transitioning to the U.S. Space Force last year.
He works at the National Space Intelligence Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio.
“I was a military kid. I moved around 12 times before I went to college, so it’s something that’s really interesting to see how everyone takes their own path,” Robinson said. His father served and so did his grandfather.
While moving around so much is never easy, for military children it’s a sense of resiliency, kind of like clay, that makes them each so unique.
“The good thing about moving around so much is you get to test drive a lot of different opportunities. What really sets this generation apart is technology and to be able to have instant connectivity and communication to their friends,” said Robinson.
As Lucas continues to settle into his new home in Ohio, since he’s a pro at moving, he has some advice.
“Other people are also transferring from different schools in some states, so don’t be nervous about them not liking you. They won’t really care, they just want to make friends,” he said.
The suitcase took Lucas about two weeks to make and it gets to stay at the White House. The project was through the Military Child Education Coalition’s Call for the Arts Program.