We would like to congratulate Georgia Clark on receiving the 2026 National WWII Museum's Billy Michal Student Leadership Award! This award is presented annually to one student from each state and the District of Columbia who embodies the American spirit in his or her community. Through this award, the National WWII Museum promotes the values of leadership, teamwork, tolerance, creativity, and perseverance to students nationwide and honors those who exemplify them.
Georgia traveled to New Orleans along with her mother, Melanie Clark, to represent Iowa at the 2026 American Spirit Awards, June 4th - June 7th. During the event, awardees received exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the National World War II Museum, participated in leadership activities with their cohort, and attended an awards ceremony to honor their accomplishments. Other honorees present included composer John Williams, NFL player/philanthropist Steve Gleason, and the surviving Rosie the Riveters. Student awardees were matched with one of the Rosies, and the one Georgia was partnered with was originally from Iowa. During the war, she picked milkweed pod fiber and stuffed life jackets for the soldiers.
Congratulations Georgia! We are so proud of you! To learn more about the Billy Michal Student Leadership Award, please visit this link: https://www.nationalww2museum.org/billymichal
