Moorestown High School’s Madeleine Morlino feels anything can be accomplished with grit, determination and perseverance, as well as support from others.
She calls herself your average 17-year-old girl, but Morlino has achieved above average accomplishments in her 17 years. Morlino found out in February she was accepted into all four United States military service academies, and last week she was named Military Child of the Year for the Air Force branch, all very competitive programs.
“I was in shock. I didn’t think I would get in. I was so excited. I’m truly honored to be chosen from all the candidates,” Morlino said. “I don’t think you can achieve everything by yourself. I am thankful to my family and the people of Moorestown for their support.”
Morlino was adopted as a 9-month-old from Guangzhou, China, by Leonard and Kerry Morlino. She also has an older sister, Eleanor, who is a freshman at Ringling College of Art and Design. Her father Leonard was in the Air Force for 23 years. She lived in England for nine years before moving to Moorestown and attending Moorestown High School.
Throughout her time in Moorestown, Morlino has accomplished much. She was involved in many extracurricular activities such as various sports, class councils and clubs, all while maintaining her grades, as she is in the top 9 percent of her class. She wasn’t shy to the arts and volunteering within her local neighborhood groups. She even created her own events such as the Veteran’s Benefits and Job Expo last year. She also received many academic and service-related awards, in the area, region and nationally.
“You’ll be awarded in so many different ways by putting out what you can and with all your heart,” Morlino said.
Since she was a freshman, Morlino has been very serious about attending one of the United States military service academies. She started to look into each academy with the life and opportunities that could be accomplished from them, and got really excited to apply. She applied to all of the academies, as they are very competitive programs and didn’t think she would get into all of them. Her ultimate goal was just to serve her country no matter what branch.
Her first acceptance letter was from the Naval Academy, then came the Coast Guard, then the Army and finally the Air Force in February.
“I was completely blown away,” Morlino said.
However, things were not over for Morlino, as she had to decide which academy she wanted to attend. Morlino felt all were great opportunities, but after speaking to counselors and learning more about each school, she ultimately chose the Air Force Academy.
“I would have been honored to have gone to any of the service academies. However, the Air Force Academy had more majors that I was interested in, more career fields that aligned with my interest goals — like the ability to go to medical school or obtain my master’s degree — and amazing opportunities, like free fall parachuting,” Morlino said.
She also recently found out she was chosen out of 500 applications as the Military Child of the Year for the Air Force branch. This is a national award that recognizes military children, one from each branch, and gives an award of $10,000 in cash and a laptop computer. The award will be presented in Washington, D.C., in April.
“I was definitely honored and humbled (to receive the award),” Morlino said.
Though Morlino has worked hard for all she has accomplished, she attributes all of her success to her family and the Moorestown community.
According to Morlino, living the military family lifestyle, she has learned a lot from her family. She came to the conclusion to go to a military academy because of her father’s service, but she also has learned the value of getting up early, great time management skills and the importance of support from family, friends and her community.
“From my experience, I wouldn’t be here without my family. My parents have been so supportive and really pushed me when I needed it, and same with my sister, I’m so proud of her,” Morlino said.
Morlino also wanted to thank her friends, school, neighbors and the entire Moorestown community for all of their help and support along the way.
“I wouldn’t be here without each and every one who helped me. I’m so grateful for everyone’s support,” Morlino said.
Morlino hopes she can inspire others to follow their dreams. She hopes those who see her accomplishments know she is an average 17-year-old, but that if you work hard and put in 110 percent effort, you can achieve your goals.
“If you can dream it, you can do it. I hope kids, from a 9-year-old trying out for play to a senior trying to get into a scholarly program, see you can achieve it if you put the work in. And if you do, I definitely think you can do it,” Morlino said.
