LUTZ, Fla. — A Hillsborough County teen is getting national recognition for the work she has put in at home and at school.
The military family advocacy group Operation Homefront awarded 19-year-old Amani Ambay the 2026 Military Child of the Year honor representing the U.S. Army.
Operation Homefront recognized Amani in April and brought her to Washington D.C. along with other recipients from the different branches of the armed forces.
In pictures provided by the organization, Amani looked right at home as part of the impressive group of young military children.
They shared their stories and experiences with others when visiting the nation’s capital.
Coincidentally, that is where Amani currently attends George Washington University.
“I know many military children that are equally deserving of this award,” Amani said. “And the award is not only a testament to the things that I’ve done, but it’s also a reflection of the strength of my parents and my dad when he was deployed.”
Among other accolades, George Washington recently inducted Amani into the honors program at the university and she was picked her for a study abroad program in the coming year.
Amani has also earned Presidential Scholar honors.
Amani’s recognition is for how she has overcome the challenges she has faced.
Her father, Raj, was wounded in combat while deployed in Afghanistan.
“He was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade and suffered many injuries, which required me to learn how to tend to them,” she said, adding that the things she learned included “changing the IVs and pumping medications into his heart when I was 10 or 11 years old.”
During the COVID pandemic, the family lost their Lutz home in a fire.
“House fire happened on a Friday. And she showed up to swim practice and did not even tell anyone about the fire,” said Raj. “We lost everything right down to the toothbrush.”
But it is how Amani responded to challenge that stood out.
She said she tried not to dwell on the tragedy.
“Instead of thinking about everything we’ve lost … it was an opportunity to move forward,” she said.
She is most proud of launching her Yalla Foundation nonprofit, which she established to help other kids like herself in Florida and around the world.
“I knew that I was not alone in these experiences and that there are other military kids going through similar challenges,” she said. “And I figured, well, we should all connect with one another to have that support for each other.”
Amani’s father, who spent decades in the Army, had advice for Amani and her generation: “You need to just be bold and fearless. You need to take a few chances, you know? That are calculated risks and know that we’re always behind you.”
Amani has advice of her own for others.
“Service opens your heart and your ability to better connect with others,” Amani said. “I think people are a lot more receptive when they see that you’re fighting for a common cause as they are, or even one that might benefit their community or the general community.”