While most of her peers are thinking of the best way to spend their weekends once they’re off at college, Petersburg High School senior Quanesha Knight is getting ready to commit some of her weekends to the United States Army Reserve.
Even sooner than that, Knight has already committed her first two weeks after high school graduation to boot camp in Washington State.
“Honestly, at first it (I committed for) just the finances (because) I realized how much they do help you pay for school but I like traveling,” she said.
Although she’s been communicating with the reserve for the past two or three months, she officially signed up about two weeks ago.
In the meantime, Knight is balancing her last year in school with her athletic career and extracurricular activities.
Knight plays volleyball, basketball, is part of the cheerleading team and runs track for her school. Right now is track season for Knight.
“Volleyball is first (in the year), basketball and cheerleading happen at the same time but I cheer for the football season and they let me play basketball,” Knight said.
Knight began playing basketball when she was in 10th grade and was moved to the varsity team in her first year. This year, her position as team captain might pay off.
Knight is looking at attending Virginia State University after the school’s basketball coach contacted her.
“My basketball team voted me captain because they believe I am hardworking, helpful and love the game of basketball,” Knight wrote in an application essay. “I have shown my leadership skills by leading my team to victory and encouraging them even when they were ready to give up.”
Ultimately, she wants to become a counselor and she said VSU’s psychology program is impressive enough to draw her to the school.
“I want to talk to kids because I know when I was younger, I didn’t really have anyone to talk to,” Knight said. “It was hard, and I realized actually how hard it was so I didn’t want other kids to go through it.”
Knight said she was bullied in elementary school but didn’t take her problems to adults. Despite that, she now flourishes as second in her class and a leader in several student organizations including Future Business Leaders of America and the National Honor Society.
Knight volunteers at her local YMCA to reach out to younger children and spends time working for Relay for Life. This past holiday season, she spent time writing to veterans. Leading up to the presidential election in November, Knight canvassed for Barack Obama.
She spent time helping voters register to vote and made sure voters knew where to go on Election Day.
Through all of this, Knight stays focused on her academics and prioritizes her various activities to keep her 4.0 GPA.
“Although I am an athlete and have great academic awards, I am also a great person and excel in many different fields,” Knight wrote. “School is a priority for me as I believe academics come first.”
