Child Development Center Administrative Support Assistant Darian Sealey said having grown up around Child and Youth Services programs as a military child, she was happy to have the chance to continue serving military children in her profession.

WIESBADEN, Germany - Like many MWR employees, Child Development Center Administrative Support Assistant Darian Sealey said continuing to serve Soldiers and their families was a natural progression from having grown up as a “military brat.”

“My mom was active duty military and I went to middle school and high school when we moved here in 2005,” said Sealey, adding that after attending college in the United States she eventually returned to Germany in 2014 to be near her family (her mother had transitioned out of the military to work as a civilian for the Department of Defense Education Activity) and began working for Wiesbaden Child and Youth Services.

During that time she said she made the most of academic opportunities and classes provided by CYS. “I studied psychology and have about 95 percent of my associates degree in child development completed.

“I would love to continue to progress,” said the 30-year-old who has worked for CYS for nine years. “I’m working on getting my business degree and would love to eventually move into a management position.”

Sealey said she appreciated the support and motivation she has received from CYS to continue progressing in her career field. “They do offer early childhood scholarships, and I took advantage of that. School is expensive. There are requirements you have to have for your job. Don’t pass up on free schooling.”

“I’m in the process of moving back to the States to do my schooling full time,” she said, explaining that thanks to “an awesome transfer program for CYS,” she’ll be able to continue working for MWR when she transitions to Fort Meade, Md., near where her mother lives in Baltimore.

“I grew up using MWR services – both in Korea and Germany. It’s awesome to work for a company that provides so many services for Soldiers’ families,” said Sealey, adding that her family enjoyed many opportunities thanks to MWR that they otherwise might have missed … “and now I’m able to help other families.”

Leaving Germany will be a big change, Sealey said, explaining that while she has roots in North Carolina and the Chicago area thanks to her parents, Germany has been home. “It’s like small time living to me – being close to Frankfurt and living in Wiesbaden – I really enjoy that, and it’s what I know most.”

Having had the opportunity to work for an organization that she grew up in has “definitely been nostalgic,” she said. “I love keeping a finger on the community. I grew up in CYS services, and it’s great seeing the kids and still being a part of the community. When this building (Building 1502 on Clay Kaserne) was first built, my brother went to the School Age Center here. … It’s nice to see the community continue to grow and to see the changes first-hand.”

“We’re definitely going to miss her,” said Clay CDC Director Susan Hutchings. “She’s been a big part of the program. She’s very friendly and outgoing and is always able to answer parents’ questions. She has a good rapport with the children and parents.”