Jackson is the post's youth of the year

Fort Jackson senior leaders crowned Brandon Jackson as the installation's 2016 Boys & Girls Club's Youth of the Year during a luncheon at the post's Officers Club Jan. 28.

The honor was special for Jackson, a senior at Spring Valley High School in Columbia, South Carolina.

"I would like to say thank you to everyone who came out," said the soft-spoken youth after receiving his award from Col. James Ellerson Jr., Garrison commander, and Col. Morris Goins, Army Training Center chief of staff.

To his fellow youths he said he "enjoyed the time we shared together."

James Andrews, the installation Youth Director and head of the Fort Jackson chapter of the Boys & Girls Club of America, said he was honored to have worked with the youths.

"Each and every one of you are a winner," he said. All the youths in the running as the year's top youth "are very impactful to our club members … The youths are role models for other kids in the club."

Andrews said Jackson especially impressed him.

"Over the past three years Brandon has become vital part of the teen chain of communication," he said. "I've watched him develop and become a voice for youth both locally and at the Army Level. We are all so proud of his accomplishments and wish him well in the future."

Dr. Garth Graham, an interventional cardiologist, and guest speaker at the luncheon, advised that preparations for the future are vital.

"Not everyone is going to end up at the same place," he said. "You have to make the decision on a strategy that is most beneficial … to optimize who and what you become."

He advised youths to believe in themselves so they can be the best.

"You have to have a self-concept or belief in yourself," he said while using the example of himself doing surgery on patient knowing he has only minutes to save the person's life.

"You are the author; you are the writer; you are the everything of your own destiny. That's kind of amazing. You have your entire future in front of your hands."

Goins also encouraged the youths to think about their future and remember how their parents took care of them.

"You have a brand and it's your name," he said. "Your parents sacrificed some things because they love you. Fast forward 20 years and your parents may not be as fast as they used to."

Ellerson said the youths were "heading in the right direction" because "whether you realize it or not, you made a decision to be a part of something that's bigger than you are."

Jackson will represent the installation in the spring when he attends the state youth of the year competition.