CAMP SHELBY, Miss. – Chris-Shanti La’ Connia Jackson has been chosen as one of four military “kids” of the year through the “Our Military Kid” program. Chris-Shanti, the only child chosen from Mississippi, won the honor through her dedication and devotion to her community and other military families “Our Military Kid” program, a nonprofit organization, provides grants to the children of soldiers serving on active duty. The $500 grant allows the child to participate in activities; Chris-Shanti used her grant to further her talent in tumbling and cheerleading.
Chris-Shanti’s service to her community includes hosting a walk to raise money for the March of Dimes, and using her own money to host “The Jacksons Daddy Daughter Luncheon.” This event brought sixty veterans and their daughters together for lunch. In addition, Chris-Shanti is active in her church, is a junior varsity cheerleader, and won a Mississippi state-wide poetry contest for her poem titled “Through the Eyes of a Soldier’s Child.”
She is the daughter of Sgt. 1st Class Victor Jackson; a platoon sergeant assigned to., 1-346 Regiment, 177th Armored Brigade, Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, Camp Shelby, Miss. Her father has been in the service for over twenty-four years and has been on six deployments Victor is very proud of his daughter’s accomplishments, and smiles when asked about Chris-Shanti’s poem.
“I can’t read it all the way through without getting teary-eyed,” said Victor. “I was so ecstatic when she told me she had been selected; her mother was even more excited.”
The Jackson family was notified in February that Chris-Shanti had been selected from 1,000 children competing for the honor. Her mother, Christy Jackson, said when they received the call, Chris-Shanti was overwhelmed.
“She was so happy and grateful to Our Military Kids program for the honor,” said Christy.
Chris-Shanti and the other three awardees will fly to Washington D.C. for a private lunch with the OMK staff and senior military leaders. In addition, they will receive a private tour of some of the historical sites around the capitol. Awardees also received a $500 gift card to give to a program at their school. Chris-Shanti gave this gift card to her art teacher to purchase supplies.
“I am grateful to the military kids program,” said Chris-Shanti. “It is really all about helping military families.”
Chris-Shanti comes from a strong military background; military service on both her mother and father’s side of the family goes back five generations. In addition to her father being in the service her uncle, Maj. LaMarcus Griffin, executive officer, 3-349th Logistic Support Battalion, 177th Armor Brigade also serves here at Camp Shelby.
“There are three things that I am proud to be,” said Chris-Shanti. “I am proud to be a Christian, an American, and I am proud to be a Soldier’s child.”
Chris-Shanti said that when she grows up she would like to be a linguist and work for the United Nations.
The 177th Armored Brigade trains, coaches and mentors soldiers, airmen and sailors in support of our nation’s overseas contingency operations. The majority of the work at the 177th is with mobilized Army reserve component forces, although they also train active forces. The brigade is stationed at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center at Camp Shelby, Miss., which is the largest and most active mobilization training center in the U.S. Army.