Knightly News

“Even when folks are hitting you over the head, you can’t stop marching. Even when they’re turning the hoses on you, you can’t stop.” Barack Obama, 44th US President

The 2016/2017 Accolade features a smiling Kris Jackson with this quote from former President Obama beneath him. This is the quote chosen by Kris for his senior quote. As you’ll hear in the video below featuring Kris’ mother Sandra Jackson, Kris faced a tremendous challenge at a very young age and kept moving forward to become the successful adult he is today.

Kris Jackson is a great example of a student who made the most of his Episcopal experience – an experience that in many ways changed the trajectory of his life. In fact, he says because Episcopal pushed him out of his comfort zone and encouraged him to explore new opportunities he learned more about himself and grew as a person. Kris is a reserved young man who never imagined participating in activities such as drama, cross country or computer science. With the support of his family and the Episcopal coaches and teachers, he did all of this and more.

Kris was never a runner, yet he became a state champion cross country athlete. This was partly because of the Jackson’s family philosophy that you do not quit, even when you want to. Ultimately, Kris’ cross country coaches and teammates became an extension of his family. Even today he still drops in for a run with the Knights whenever he is back in Baton Rouge.

Kris also found family at Episcopal within the U-Knighted Club. As a part of this group, which is dedicated to diversity and inclusion, Kris found his voice. He and his fellow club members organized presentations for the entire Upper School and encouraged their classmates to explore the perspectives of others.  

It was in an independent study on computer science his senior year that Kris found his path. Needing an additional elective Kris sought the advice of the Dean of Students. The Dean suggested he enroll in an independent study on a topic he had never explored before. Kris chose computer science and the experience sparked a love for computers and tech that still shapes his goals today.

Kris’ Episcopal accomplishments tell a true success story - 2014-2016 LHSAA Cross Country Composite All-State, 2014 LHSAA 2A Cross Country State Champion, 2015 LHSAA 2A 3200 Meter Runner-Up, 2017 LHSAA 2A 3200 Meter Runner-Up, 2016 Episcopal's Cross Country team captain, 2017 Episcopal's Track and Field team captain, 2015 and 2016 Episcopal's Coaches Cross Country Award, 2017 Episcopal Track and Field Coaches Award, 2014 Episcopal's Most Valuable Runner Award.

Kris was also quite accomplished in the classroom, earning a four-year academic scholarship from Rhodes College in Memphis. Now at Rhodes, Kris continues what he started in the Episcopal Upper School. After that defining independent study, he is pursuing a major in computer science. He is an active member of the Men of Distinction Club, which is much like the Episcopal U-Knighted Club. He is also in his second year as a distance runner on the Lynx track and field team.

Exploring the opportunities available to him, being open to new possibilities and pushing himself out of his comfort zone with the support of family and the Episcopal community have helped Kris Jackson grow into an outstanding example of an Episcopal Knight. To hear more from Kris in his own words, click here to read In the Face of Adversity, a blog post he penned his senior year.

Good luck this year at Rhodes, Kris. The Episcopal community is always with you!

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