Senior Maddie Knight has fought many challenges throughout her life, but those challenges haven’t slowed her down.

“On January 1, 2017, I was in a skiing accident. I had a very promising softball career, but I am a Christian, and that was not in God’s plan for me. I always felt that playing softball was what I was meant to do, and it was what I was going to do, so I did everything I could to reach that goal. I put in the hours, I did the work, I came from all the surgeries, but that was not the plan, so I accepted it,” Knight said.

Due to the extreme circumstances presented, Knight had to discover her new identity.

“In my accident, I ruptured my ACL, MCL, PCL, and then I tore my LCL. So obviously, there’s a lot of physical obstacles, but also just mentally,” Knight said. “Before the accident, I was always identified as Maddie Knight, the softball player, and then you know after, I couldn’t play anymore due to my concussions. But I had to find a new identity because I did was suddenly gone, everything I had worked for was gone, and it didn’t matter anymore.”

Knight faced more obstacles than people could see.

“I suffer from short-term memory loss, that means I have a hard time remembering people’s names, and a lot of people joke about it, but it’s not really a joke. It’s my life,” Knight said. “So, sometimes people take advantage of that I don’t necessarily remember certain details, and it is funny, I know, it’s kind of funny like oh she’ll forget about it. But in the end of the day, when it comes to serious things, it’s hard, being told about the things that happened in your life, it’s hard, and how do you know what to believe and what not to believe?”

Knight decided to come to a new school mid-year her junior year in search of more opportunities.

“I run track, and I have found my outlet for competition, I love competition of any type, you can ask anyone that, I thrive in competition. It’s just natural, I try to contain it, but I just can’t,” Knight said. “Also, I am involved in the dorm [Regester]; I’m a leader in the dorm, it’s been a really cool experience living with people from everywhere. I feel that everyone should be involved in the dorm, no matter whether you are day or boarding, just getting involved.

Knight still wanted to be a part of softball, even if it meant she couldn’t play.

“I volunteered to help coach middle school softball, and that was an experience, and even though I can’t play, I still have a lot of knowledge to give, and I actually found my passion for coaching there, and it’s something that I want to pursue in the future.”

With her passion for athletics, Knight plans on taking her knowledge further and sharing it with others.

“My intended major is Sports Administration and Leadership. My plan is to go to either Louisiana State University or Clemson. I want to serve the community, and share my knowledge, but as a career. I also want to share my story, which I’m doing in the future.”

Knight learned a lot of lessons during her short time at Darlington.

“Darlington has taught me that you get out what you put in and that there will always be expectations that are held and you either meet those expectations, or you don’t. I happen to be the type of person that any expectation that is set on me, I’m going to do that, but I will strive for more, and to continue to better myself. Honor is something that my old school didn’t value, and I truly do value honor,” Knight said.