LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Keith Page was nominated by his spouse, Tarla Page.

Chief Keith Page has served as the Navy Junior Reserves Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) Instructor in Neshoba County School District for 14 years.  His spouse, who has worked in the district for 25 years, always took notice of this beneficial program and has come to recognize Mr. Page's commitment and drive for this program and his cadets.  When he is working/teaching, he gives his students 100% of his time, effort, and energy.  He is engaged in the physical activities along side his cadets, setting a great, healthy role model.  He keeps fit and trim to set a good example to his students of what soldiers/servicemen should exemplify. In his classroom setting, he offers interesting, engaging, and meaningful lessons to hold students' attention. These lessons can be applied to real life circumstances. He holds after-school practices and drills to improve the skills of the cadets in drills and academics.

Additionally, Chief Page plays an integral part in organizing a week-long summer camp, which he calls "leadership camp," for cadets that meet certain standards.  He takes his participating students to this camp, where cadets from all over the state meet.  It's located on a military base within the state.  He, other officers, and the cadets work very long hours to improve their leadership skills, drills, physical being, and other characteristics.  The extreme time, effort and energy he puts in organizing this event is not something he is required to do. He does it because he wants his students to have this experience, along with other students in the state.  He very much wants the NJROTC program to succeed in his district and elsewhere.  Among other requirements of cadets, they must wear their uniform every Wednesday during the school year. There is often inspection.  He teaches them to respect the uniform.  The color guard, under his direction, participates in many school and community activities displaying the US flag beautifully and pridefully as the national anthem is being sung.  The group also participates in community and school projects where volunteers are needed to provide various services, even if it's just manpower. Again, these projects aren't required, but Chief Page sees their value, thus seeks them out. There are so many wonderful character traits Chief Page instills in students daily.  Organization, responsibility, pride, honor, citizenship and courage are just a few of those traits.

Over the past couple of years, numerous people of various ages and ethnic backgrounds have come to him to shake his hand or hug his neck in all kinds of settings (Walmart, ball games, school, competitions).  They are former students that are so happy to see "Chief" and tell him what they are doing in their lives now. In return, he will tell them how proud he is of them.  He almost always leaves them with some sort of advice for the future.

"Of the ones I've witnessed, I would say approximately a third of them are in one of the branches of service for our country," Mrs. Page said.  "I personally believe much of their decision had to do with the influence Chief Page and the NJROTC program had in their lives."

In addition to the role he plays in the NJROTC program, he is the announcer at many of the sporting events at school.  He gets no extra pay for the time it takes to prepare for and participate in all of these events.

"When I ask him why he does it, he says 'I do it for the kids!'" Mrs. Page said. "You would have to know Chief Page and hear him to understand how energetic and witty he is as he announces. He introduces the team players with such enthusiasm and drama.  He makes each one feel like a million bucks!"

Chief Page is very well respected by his colleagues.  They refer to him as "Chief" or "Chief Page."  Often times, other teachers come to him if they are having difficulty with one of his students in their class.  Somehow, he knows how to reach those students and alter their behavior in other classes.  Sometimes it doesn't even have to be his students with the behavior problems.  Teachers will come to him for advice on how to handle other students as well.

"As I've gotten to know Chief Page professionally, I can see the heart he has for the NJROTC program, this school district, his fellow teachers, and most of all, his cadets.  He changes the lives of students with every passing day he serves!" Mrs. Page said.