Ciara Kaluhiokalani Jefferson, a senior at Lakes High School and daughter of Anthony Jefferson Sr. and Sgt. Angelique Jefferson, was recently selected to audition for The Voice, a reality singing competition on NBC.

Ciara is 18 years old and has been singing for more than three years. While living in Hawaii, she appeared on Brown Bags to Stardom, a local Honolulu television show. She's also performed at more than a dozen events, including college games singing the National Anthem, and has placed first in several talent competitions.

"Singing the National Anthem makes me feel an unparalleled sense of pride," she said. "I love our country and am proud to be a part of this great nation. Seeing soldiers, both past veterans such as my grandparents and present like my mom and being part of this military lifestyle, is a huge honor for me. We must always remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for us, and I feel that singing the National Anthem is my way of doing just that, remembering and honoring the fallen."

In her spare time, Ciara likes to give back. She volunteered more than 100 hours with Make-A-Wish Hawaii as a wish granter and provided support at JROTC drill meets at local schools on Oahu.

At Lakes High School, where she is a third-year JROTC student, Ciara serves as an executive mentor to students in various grades, providing them with guidance and mentorship for their future success.

"I make a difference in their lives by being present physically, mentally and emotionally," she explained. "I offer guidance for those who may be facing challenges at home or at school. Sometimes, I'm just there as a sounding board and offer a shoulder to lean on if needed. It makes me proud to know that I have helped someone else and am part of something bigger than myself."

Living the military lifestyle can be challenging for kids, but Ciara, who will graduate from Lakes this year and plans to attend Pierce College and major in music with a minor in business management, has risen to the challenge.

"Being a military child has helped me demonstrate resiliency time and time again. I used to be afraid of going to a new duty station in fear of not having friends or knowing my surroundings and totally being out of my comfort zone," she said. "Now, I see new duty stations as an opportunity to meet new friends, develop more lifelong friendships and become familiar with all of the sights and sounds new places have to offer."

Sgt. Jefferson is very proud of her daughter and all she has accomplished.

"Ciara amazes me each and every day in one way or another," she said. "She always makes me laugh and she has such a warm, friendly and outgoing personality. It seems like it was just yesterday when I had Ciara and she was my ‘new millennium baby,' and now she's a senior graduating from high school. I can't believe that 18 years went by so fast. But it also makes me proud to see my daughter singing so passionately at her performances yet remaining so humble, never forgetting where she came from. I'm proud she's my daughter and I love her."