A Pennsylvania second grader talking about her military father during a school assembly got a big surprise recently.

Imogen Nowak was speaking to her classmates at Osborne Elementary School in Selwickey about her father, Capt. Erik Nowak, who had been deployed in Qatar since September 2016. He had not been expected home for a few weeks, Hot Topics reported.

Video shared by the Quaker Valley School District shows Imogen talking about how soldiers really enjoyed receiving candy, “even one package,” means “like all the money in the world.” As she spoke, her father appeared from behind the curtain on stage and sneaked up behind her.

“I liked it a lot,” Capt. Nowak said, as Imogen turned around to see her father.

After a stunned moment of silence, she jumped into her arms and yelled “Daddy!”

About the Author

Keep Reading

Last Thursday, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission alleged First Liberty Building & Loan founder Brant Frost IV operated a $140 million Ponzi scheme, defrauding investors across the country. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: TNS

Featured

Braves first baseman Matt Olson (left) is greeted by Ronald Acuña Jr. after batting during the MLB Home Run Derby as part of the All-Star Game festivities on Monday, July 14, 2025, at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz/AJC