Christopher Newport University

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Stephanie and Katherine Helmick are a study in poise, determination and respect. Sitting in the front room of their Ruckman Road military quarters, the sisters politely fold their hands on their laps and frequently embellish their conversation with heartwarming smiles. Both are straight-A students. They’re not shy about discussing their faith or their appreciation of the simpler things in life. They struggle to remember the last time they watched TV but easily recall evening walks around Fort Monroe with their dogs Pixie and Pico. They list Tae Kwon Do among their hobbies – the family attends four classes a week and both girls have earned black belts. “My parents have always been my biggest inspiration,” said Katherine, age 12. “For as long as I can remember, they’ve stressed the importance of getting a good education, believing in God and just being a good person.” A few weeks earlier – Sept. 24 through 29 to be exact – Katherine represented Hampton’s Jones Magnet Middle School at the Junior National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C. During the event, student participants from across the country toured numerous historical sites and met with elected officials and key congressional staff members on Capitol Hill. - more available