Columbus AFB youth wins state Youth of the Year

  • Published
  • By Jana Hall
  • 14th Force Support Squadron
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  One of Columbus AFB Youth Programs own brought home top honors from the 2011 Mississippi Youth of the Year competition held from March 3 to 5 in Jackson, Miss. The ambitious two-time base level winner competed against 12 others representing Boys and Girls Clubs of America throughout the state.

La Chardonnay Johnsons' first place finish garnered her $6,500 in scholarships and made her the first military entrant to win at the state level in Mississippi, as well as one of only a handful to win in their states nationwide.

Ms. Johnson, a Caledonia High School senior, will go on to represent Mississippi in the Southeast regional competition with nine other states' representatives in July. A win there will add another $10,000 in scholarships to her purse and send her to the National BGCA competition in September. Regardless the outcome of the next two hurdles to a national title, she will be competing in the conjoined Air Force Services and BGCA program in Washington, D.C. lasting from July 31 to Aug. 5.

"This state win is my proudest accomplishment so far," said Ms. Johnson, who also has received a $17,000 scholarship from the Mississippi University for Women where she plans to attend in the fall.

The judges based their decision on her extracurricular activities, over 900 hours of community service on and off base during the last year and a three-minute speech on her military life, Ms. Johnson said.

"We're so proud of LaChardonnay. Kudos have come down from the Pentagon, Air Force Services and AETC levels," said Jeri Peterson, chief of Airman and family services. "She has a great story that well represents what our military youth deal with, and the speech she gave at the state competition is inspiring."

Ms. Johnson is the daughter of La Chunda Sparks, 14th Medical Group, and Senior Master Sgt. Charles Johnson, USAF retired, who is currently working as a civilian air traffic controller at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.

Ms. Johnson, who is in the top ten percent of her class, attributes her success thus far to her mother's strength and dedication to her family despite life's struggles. Her mother and stepfather, William Sparks of Columbus, have six children between them including two foster daughters. Three of the six will be attending college in the fall.

"She has a very strong family life," said Kayline Hamilton, director of the youth center. "Her mother instills in her the importance of education and other essential life lessons to be the best she can be."

Besides being an active volunteer on and off base and an 11 year member of CAFB Youth Programs, Ms. Johnson's current extracurricular activities include Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Future Career Community Leaders of America, National Honor Society and BETA Club. Upon graduation in May, she will receive the Mississippi Scholars Medal.