The Young Marines, a national youth organization, announced the 2019 – 2020 National Young Marine of the Year – YM/SgtMaj Megan Lynch, of Fountain Valley, California.

She is a member of the Southeast County Young Marines. The unit meets in Seal Beach, California. Lynch is a junior at Inspire Charter School.

She represented Division 6, competing with five other Division Young Marines of the Year for the title of National Young Marine of the Year which was announced at the annual Adult Leaders’ Conference for Young Marines held Saturday, May 18, 2019, in Orlando, Florida.

Lynch joined the Young Marines at age nine and is in her seventh year in the program. She joined to follow her brother’s footsteps. An additional aspect of the Young Marines that attracted her was the opportunity to learn to be a mentor and leader of her peers and friends.

She helped development retention guidelines and was invited to participate in the Public Affairs Training Course, ultimately assigned to the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Trip. Lynch participated in several SPACES trips: Outdoor Leadership School in Alaska, FEMA/CERT, and ORME.

Outside the Young Marines, Lynch is interning as a teacher. She is vice president of the Bible Club, member of the SCUBA club, member of the Spanish Club and member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Hobbies include reading, writing, drawing, singing, and photography.

Following high school, Lynch plans to attend Biola University in La Mirada, California, and earn a degree in Education and English with a minor in Theology. She plans to teach middle school English. Also, she will be joining summer mission trips through her church and will continue as an adult volunteer with the Young Marines program.

Last March, as Division 6 Young Marine of the Year, Lynch escorted WWII veterans to the annual Reunion of Honor trip to Guam and Iwo Jima.

“Megan Lynch is an exceptional individual,” said Col William P. Davis USMC (Ret), national executive director and CEO of the Young Marines. “She has proven herself a dedicated leader. When we traveled to Iwo Jima in March, I was able to see firsthand what an outstanding Young Marine she is. It is a huge accomplishment to be named National Young Marine of the Year, and she will be a fine ambassador and spokesperson for the next year.”

Lynch is the daughter of Julia Lynch, who is the executive officer of the unit, and Chad Lynch who is an adult volunteer. Lynch has a brother involved in the program – YM/MSgt Connor Lynch.

“My Young Marines experience has, without a doubt, shaped my goals and has given me the tools to achieve them,” Lynch said. “Interacting with adults in various leadership positions has given me the confidence and practice necessary to be an effective communicator, leader, and teacher. It has taught me self-discipline and cooperation. The Young Marines contributed to my appreciation of veterans and my knowledge about the danger of drugs in a society filled with them.

“All in all, I am a better version of myself because of all the virtues bestowed upon me throughout the last seven years. And for that, I say thank you to the program that made me, me.”

About the Young Marines

The Young Marines is a national non-profit 501c (3) youth education and service program for boys and girls, age eight through the completion of high school. The Young Marines promotes the mental, moral and physical development of its members. The program focuses on teaching the values of leadership, teamwork and self-discipline, so its members can live and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

Since the Young Marines’ humble beginnings in 1959 with one unit and a handful of boys, the organization has grown to over 264 units with 8,500 youth and 2,500 adult volunteers in 40 states, the District of Columbia, Japan and affiliates in a host of other countries.

For more information, visit the official website at: https://www.YoungMarines.com.

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