Stuttgart-area schools celebrate Month of the Military Child on Purple Up! Day

STUTTGART, Germany — On April 15, 2026, every Stuttgart-area school came together to celebrate the Month of the Military Child at Stuttgart High School on Purple Up! Day. The event, a collaboration between the Stuttgart High School Career Practicum Program and the Museum of the American Military Family, invited students from all garrison elementary and middle schools, as well as community members, to view a special exhibit in which their artwork was on display. The exhibit, titled “Dear America, What Military-Connected Children Want You to Know,” was created by Career Practicum student and MAMF student liaison Emily Wheeler.

The event opened with remarks from Stuttgart Garrison Commander Col. Edward J. Sanford, who invited visitors to remember the sacrifices and unique experiences of military-connected children. The program also included a showcase by the Stuttgart High School Panther Dance Team and Legacy Drumline, followed by a performance of original monologues by middle and high school students Roslyn C., Ella D., and Corinne D., and recognition of the students whose art was on display in the exhibit.

The exhibit gathers contributions from military-connected children of every age. The panels, focused on topics from sacrifice to resilience, use quotes from high school students collected by Wheeler. After sending out a schoolwide survey to Stuttgart High School students, Wheeler used the responses to write the panel text. The exhibit also features artwork from students across the Stuttgart area. Stuttgart High School senior Tadek Neal’s poem, “I am a Military Child,” hangs alongside similar poems written by four previous generations of military “brats,” and will now be part of the museum’s permanent collection.

After the program, elementary school students were led by Stuttgart High School Ambassadors and Career Practicum students to view the exhibit and participate in activities led by community partners. In a hallway fully decorated in purple were booths from the USO Youth Council, Delta GEMS, Red Cross, University of Maryland Global Campus, Keystone Club, MFLC, and CR2C. Students finished their day with a picnic-style lunch featuring military-child-themed snacks, including purple ube cookies provided by the high school culinary classes, led by Chef Huebner.

Afterward, students cheered for their school mascots in a mascot dance-off and participated in obstacle courses run by Career Practicum assistants for the physical education classes. Following the morning festivities, students were escorted by Ambassadors and mascots.

The celebration was a collaborative effort made possible by many individuals and organizations, particularly Career Practicum students. The Career Practicum program, led by coordinator Dawn MacFarland, provides students with opportunities to build workplace skills through real-world experiences throughout the school year.