La’Christa Cheriese Ruth Knox
La’Christa C. Ruth Knox- (1974-2005) was a jazz vocalist that had a great passion for singing and bringing joy to all the people that had the honor to be graced by her voice. La’Christa known by many as Chris or Chrissy was born in Carson City, Nevada to Mae R. Knox and Carrey A. Knox on March 19, 1974. Chris was born into a Military family that travelled all across the U.S. which eventually relocated them to Pensacola, FL where she spent most of her life growing up. Chris had deep faith in Christ; and it was in the church where her love for music began.
Chris started singing at the age of 7 in the church choir; it was discovered that she had an unbelievable talent to sing with great passion that would connect with people. Her vocal training began in grammar school, this is where she began competing in various vocal competitions where she won numerous awards. While in school she met other young women that had the same passion and love for singing, and through their friendship and their love for singing the all-girl group named, Soiree was born. The group Soiree is where Chris really started making an impact with her singing. The group was so popular that many people compared them to the hot girl group of the 90’s, “EnVogue.” As time went on, Chris began to realize that she wanted to make her passion of singing as a career. She decided to pursue a music degree so she attended the University of West Florida where she obtained her B.A. in Vocal Performance. During her tenure at UWF, Chris sang with the UWF Singers, Gospel Choir, Opera Scenes, Musical Theatre, Jazz Band and other groups.
In the community, Chris was a sought out singer giving her the opportunity to sing at various Jazz establishments in and around the Emerald Coast, notably Lou Michaels and Perdido Key Resort in Perdido Key, FL. On the national stage, Chris was invited as guest singer with the UWF Jazz Band that opened for artists such as Michael Moore and Gene Bertoncini. The biggest highlight for Chris was singing internationally with Dr. Bozeman & Company in Italy and Spain entertaining our U.S. Troops.
Chris battled for much of her life with heart issues, but she would not allow her illness to define who she was and who she wanted to become. Chris often stated that music was therapeutic and that singing uplifted her through her illness in spite of the numerous setbacks. After a long and courageous journey with heart failure Chris passed away, May 17, 2005.
In memory of La’Christa, her family and friends wanted to make sure her legacy lives on and others who had the same passion for music could have the opportunity to pursue their education through a scholarship called the La’Christa C. Knox Memorial Scholarship Endowment at the University of West Florida.
La’Christa C. Ruth Knox- (1974-2005) was a jazz vocalist that had a great passion for singing and bringing joy to all the people that had the honor to be graced by her voice. La’Christa known by many as Chris or Chrissy was born in Carson City, Nevada to Mae R. Knox and Carrey A. Knox on March 19, 1974. Chris was born into a Military family that travelled all across the U.S. which eventually relocated them to Pensacola, FL where she spent most of her life growing up. Chris had deep faith in Christ; and it was in the church where her love for music began.
Chris started singing at the age of 7 in the church choir; it was discovered that she had an unbelievable talent to sing with great passion that would connect with people. Her vocal training began in grammar school, this is where she began competing in various vocal competitions where she won numerous awards. While in school she met other young women that had the same passion and love for singing, and through their friendship and their love for singing the all-girl group named, Soiree was born. The group Soiree is where Chris really started making an impact with her singing. The group was so popular that many people compared them to the hot girl group of the 90’s, “EnVogue.” As time went on, Chris began to realize that she wanted to make her passion of singing as a career. She decided to pursue a music degree so she attended the University of West Florida where she obtained her B.A. in Vocal Performance. During her tenure at UWF, Chris sang with the UWF Singers, Gospel Choir, Opera Scenes, Musical Theatre, Jazz Band and other groups.
In the community, Chris was a sought out singer giving her the opportunity to sing at various Jazz establishments in and around the Emerald Coast, notably Lou Michaels and Perdido Key Resort in Perdido Key, FL. On the national stage, Chris was invited as guest singer with the UWF Jazz Band that opened for artists such as Michael Moore and Gene Bertoncini. The biggest highlight for Chris was singing internationally with Dr. Bozeman & Company in Italy and Spain entertaining our U.S. Troops.
Chris battled for much of her life with heart issues, but she would not allow her illness to define who she was and who she wanted to become. Chris often stated that music was therapeutic and that singing uplifted her through her illness in spite of the numerous setbacks. After a long and courageous journey with heart failure Chris passed away, May 17, 2005.
In memory of La’Christa, her family and friends wanted to make sure her legacy lives on and others who had the same passion for music could have the opportunity to pursue their education through a scholarship called the La’Christa C. Knox Memorial Scholarship Endowment at the University of West Florida.
Scholarship Recipients
- Gabrielle Carley: 2022-present
- Kathleen Hilliard: 2022
- Imani Severin: 2021-2022
- Ashley Evans: 2019-2021
- Isabelle Peterson: 2018-2019
- Rebekah Foushee: 2017-2018
- Christina Burkett Pearce: 2017
- Donavan Robinson: 2015-2016
- Robert St. John: 2013-2015
- Anna Farley: 2011-2013
- Angela West: 2009-2010
- Kayln Sanders: 2008
- Glenesha Milner: 2006