Children of military service members and veterans were invited to submit recordings of their performances to the second annual Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Military Kids Have Talent virtual contest. Diverse presentations by the 30 finalists included a martial arts routine by the Tello sisters of Murrieta. During a live watch party July 29, audiences got their first look at acts from across the country and around the world and the opportunity to vote for their favorites.
The Tello sisters – Brianna, Julianna and Audrianna – performed Taekwondo and its Songahm #3, yellow belt form. Making all their moves in perfect unison was important for the girls who have been studying martial arts for less than three months.
“They wanted a sport they could do together and that would challenge them,” their mom, Vanessa Tello, said. “We are very fortunate to have found Giordano’s ATA Martial Arts in Temecula and Murrieta. Mr. Jared Giordano and Mr. Andrew Jawarish are amazing instructors.”
Hidden Heroes, a program of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, provides military and veteran caregivers the support they need at the local, state and national levels. The program engages individuals, organizations, and communities across the country to get involved and make a difference in the lives of military caregivers. Through its Hidden Helpers initiative, the Foundation is shining a light on the children of military caregivers to better understand the unique challenges they face growing up in a caregiving household and enhance services available to them. More on the initiative can be found at hiddenheroes.org/hiddenhelpers.
“Military kids, especially our nation’s hidden helpers, represent the patriotism, selflessness, and bravery that makes America so special,” Steve Schwab, CEO of Elizabeth Dole Foundation, said. “Through Military Kids Have Talent, an emotional and recreational outlet for kids and their families, we’re thrilled to spotlight our country’s youngest heroes and celebrate the unique talents they have to offer.”
Senator Elizabeth Dole witnessed the challenges facing the loved ones who care for America’s wounded warriors when her husband, Bob Dole, underwent treatment at Walter Reed Medical Center. Following his release in 2012, she founded the Elizabeth Dole Foundation to uplift American military caregivers and their families by raising public awareness, driving research, championing policy, and leading collaborations that make a significant impact on their lives.
Vanessa said her children know the importance of programs such as this as their father, Hugo Tello, served 15 years in the Marine Corps. He was medically retired after being wounded by an improvised explosive device in the Korengal Valley in northeast Afghanistan.
“He was leading a platoon of Afghan soldiers when they were ambushed and he was wounded,” she explained. “They were very fortunate to have him there; he was awarded the Purple Heart.”
“He reached the rank of Gunnery Sergeant and loved every minute of his time in the Marines,” Vanessa said. “He struggles physically and mentally but he is getting the help he needs. We have good days and bad days, but his kids are his world, and he is doing his best to get better.”
The Tello family, Murrieta residents for more than six years, follow the Elizabeth Dole Foundation on Facebook, which is how they learned about the contest.
“My daughters wanted to compete and see how well they could do,” Vanessa Tello said. “It doesn’t hurt that if they win, they get a trip to Florida.”
Winners of the five age group categories and the group performance category, which the Tellos competed in, will receive a free family vacation to Universal Studios in Orlando, courtesy of contest sponsors Comcast NBCUniversal and American Airlines.
The girls spent about two hours a day for more than a week to perfect their form as they were getting ready to test for their next belt level, too. Vanessa said her children, which also includes 4-year-old son Alex who plans to soon join his sisters in martial arts, love swimming, going to the beach, drawing and playing board games.
Brianna, 9, said she liked being able to compete with her sisters and was excited to see their performance on screen. When asked why viewers should vote for them, she said, “I worked really hard with my sisters on this and my parents could use a vacation.”
Eight-year-old Julianna said the biggest challenge was “memorizing the form in a short amount of time and having to do it at the same time with my sisters.”
“It was weird to be on TV, but it was cool,” Audrianna, 6, said. “It was tricky learning the form at first but then I got it.” She said her parents deserve the family trip that winners will receive.
To view the virtual talent contest video, hosted by Jocko Sims, visit hiddenheroes.org/talent. Voting at hiddenheroes.org/vote closes Aug. 16.
