High school is already a challenge for most students, but for Khadija Ndow, it’s a full-on balancing act. As a multi-sport athlete and leader in nearly a dozen extracurricular activities, she’s the definition of involved—and she somehow manages to excel both in and out of the classroom.
Khadija competes in soccer as a center back, throws discus and competes in the high jump for track and field, swims the 100-meter backstroke and freestyle, and participates in the 1-meter dive. On top of that, she’s also a standout wrestler, boasting an impressive 38-12 record. And that’s just her athletic résumé.
Outside of sports, Khadija is class president and a member of Key Club, National Honor Society, French Club, Ski Club, Wrestling Club, Young Life, Teen Advisory Council, Global Scholars, and Big Sibs.
“As a freshman, I made a lot of upperclassmen friends through Key Club and soccer, and that really opened doors for me,” she said. “From there, I joined more clubs my friends were involved in, and I realized I could manage my time if I stayed organized. My goal has always been to stay busy and make the most of high school.”
Her kindness and social skills helped her connect with people who introduced her to new opportunities. She also found several clubs online or through social media and checked to see if our school offered them—and to her surprise, most of them did.
Khadija reflected on her leadership roles as class president and a member of NHS. “Class president has been a way for me to share my ideas and shape how our school year goes,” she explained. “It’s not just about my opinions; I try to include other people’s input so that our decisions reflect the whole class. With NHS, it’s about stepping up for both our school and community and putting my energy into making things better.”
We also talked about what sports have taught her. “Each sport brings something different,” she said. “Swimming and diving taught me to step out of my comfort zone to improve. Wrestling gave me the most mental toughness, strength, and perseverance I’ve ever had. Soccer is about strategy and teamwork. Track pushes me to constantly PR and strive for better.”
Those lessons—discipline, perseverance, adaptability—are preparing her for life after high school. “I’ve learned how far I can push myself both mentally and physically,” Khadija said. “Time management has become one of my biggest strengths, and I’ve also figured out what kinds of things I enjoy and might want to pursue in college.”
One thing that stood out to me was her commitment to personal growth. “I hate the feeling of not being good at something,” she admitted. “That’s why I stay busy—if I start something, I need to finish it. I’ve learned that if I’m willing to try and put in effort, improvement is always possible, even if I’m scared.”
That kind of mindset—of always finishing what you start—is something Khadija says she’ll carry with her well into the future. It’s about more than just school projects or sports seasons. It’s about developing the grit to follow through, even when things get tough.
As we wrapped up, I asked what advice she’d give to underclassmen who want to get more involved. Her answer was both practical and inspiring: “Try new things. You don’t have to do everything, but putting yourself out there can help you find something you love. Sports make you a better athlete, and clubs are a great way to meet people. Make the most of high school—it goes by so fast.”
She’s right. High school flies by in the blink of an eye. And as Khadija proves, it’s not just about doing it all—it’s about doing it with heart, purpose, and a drive to grow.
