Megan Lynch just wanted to do whatever her big brother was doing. But unlike most 9-year-olds, she joined her brother in the Young Marines.

She’s followed. She’s led. She’s learned and given back. She’s also National Young Marine of the Year.

Now 17 years old and a sergeant major in the Southeast County Young Marines, Lynch has been with the organization almost half her busy life and is grateful for every bit of it.

“Each drill taught me something new,” says Lynch, of Fountain Valley. “Which I then wanted to spend more time learning, outside of drill.”

She discovered a love of teaching and helping fellow students, which led to her involvement in helping design an app for Young Marines that allows them to reference their guidebooks through their phones. But it is facing challenges themselves — whether mental or physical — that she continues to find the most satisfying.

If Lynch seems particularly driven for a teen, it’s because she is.

“My weeks are very busy,” she says.

Lynch completes her homeschool classes online through Inspire Charter School, while her YM program typically requires emails, planning, prepping, and giving speeches. Running the organization’s Leadership Symposium allows Lynch and others to talk about ways to improve their program and present those ideas to leadership. She’s also vice president of her Bible club, a member of the scuba club, Spanish club and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Lynch considers herself “blessed” as the 2019/2020 National Young Marine of the Year, but also says she worked very hard.

“Truly, this journey started from the beginning. Every rank I held, leadership school I attended, and opportunities offered, led me to create the connections, friendships and experiences needed in order to gain the confidence necessary to compete for this role,” she says. Read More >

By Shawn Price, Reporter, Parenting OC Magazine
November, 2019