PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH presents UMKC student Ashley Knight with the President’s Volunteer Service Award.
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UMKC dental student receives volunteer award
By: Kurt Kloeblen, Staff writer
For the record, her pin is about the size of a quarter and the inside of the Air Force One is “awesome.”
University of Missouri-Kansas City dental student Ashley Knight has answered plenty of questions since she accepted a presidential volunteer award from President George W. Bush three weeks ago at New Century Airport in Olathe.
Knight received recognition for her efforts as president of UMKC’s chapter of Students Take Action and countless hours of volunteer work in Kansas City and abroad.
Knight, who took her sister with her to the meeting, said meeting the president made her want to pinch herself in disbelief.
“It was completely overwhelming,” Knight, 25, said. “I had to concentrate on taking it all in when it actually happened. I had to take some deep breaths. I always thought he would be the nicest man and he is. He was complimentary about my volunteer work. Luckily, he led the conversation, because I was tongue tied. He made me feel at ease.”
Knight said she got an opportunity to tour Air Force One.
“It was pretty retro,” Knight said. “It’s the same design Nancy Reagan picked out. It’s been awhile since it was revamped. It has two kitchens, the presidential bedroom, an oval office, a large conference room.”
Her day of reward came from hours of volunteer time. As a fourth-year dental student, Knight ran Students Take Action, which leads to volunteer opportunities for dental students. She gave her time to Kansas City Health Clinic, Olathe Health Care Clinic, Teeth-N-Tots, Score One for Health, Operation Breakthrough and Team Smith.
Knight said dentistry and volunteering are about helping people in need.
“It’s all about the opportunity to help improve someone’s quality of life if I can,” Knight said. “I grew up in a family where it was always ‘If you are a blessed person with a talent, you need to share those with other people.’ That was ingrained from the start – to do something good.”
Knight grew up in Lawrence and completed her undergraduate work at the University of Kansas. She said she will graduate in May 2009 and may spend a year as a graduate resident.
“This wasn’t something I knew I wanted to do when I was growing up,” Knight said. “It took until my junior year to figure it out. I knew I wanted to do something in the medical field. But I did a lot of job shadowing and followed some different professions. I found I love going to the dentist and doing what they did. I wanted to work with my hands and make those connections with the patients.”
Knight said through her volunteer work she has seen many Kansas Citians who do not have access to or cannot afford dental care.
Knight said she relishes studying dentistry at UMKC.
“I love my time here,” Knight said. “The thing that makes this dental school so great is the people here. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming.”
Knight said she appreciates the attention she has received for volunteering, but is not too keen on being on TV or in the newspaper all the time.
“I’m still not used to it,” Knight said. “I’m not crazy about seeing myself on TV. I always think ‘Wow, I didn’t look good there.’ But my parents and grandparents are certainly proud.”
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University of Missouri-Kansas City dental student Ashley Knight has answered plenty of questions since she accepted a presidential volunteer award from President George W. Bush three weeks ago at New Century Airport in Olathe.
Knight received recognition for her efforts as president of UMKC’s chapter of Students Take Action and countless hours of volunteer work in Kansas City and abroad.
Knight, who took her sister with her to the meeting, said meeting the president made her want to pinch herself in disbelief.
“It was completely overwhelming,” Knight, 25, said. “I had to concentrate on taking it all in when it actually happened. I had to take some deep breaths. I always thought he would be the nicest man and he is. He was complimentary about my volunteer work. Luckily, he led the conversation, because I was tongue tied. He made me feel at ease.”
Knight said she got an opportunity to tour Air Force One.
“It was pretty retro,” Knight said. “It’s the same design Nancy Reagan picked out. It’s been awhile since it was revamped. It has two kitchens, the presidential bedroom, an oval office, a large conference room.”
Her day of reward came from hours of volunteer time. As a fourth-year dental student, Knight ran Students Take Action, which leads to volunteer opportunities for dental students. She gave her time to Kansas City Health Clinic, Olathe Health Care Clinic, Teeth-N-Tots, Score One for Health, Operation Breakthrough and Team Smith.
Knight said dentistry and volunteering are about helping people in need.
“It’s all about the opportunity to help improve someone’s quality of life if I can,” Knight said. “I grew up in a family where it was always ‘If you are a blessed person with a talent, you need to share those with other people.’ That was ingrained from the start – to do something good.”
Knight grew up in Lawrence and completed her undergraduate work at the University of Kansas. She said she will graduate in May 2009 and may spend a year as a graduate resident.
“This wasn’t something I knew I wanted to do when I was growing up,” Knight said. “It took until my junior year to figure it out. I knew I wanted to do something in the medical field. But I did a lot of job shadowing and followed some different professions. I found I love going to the dentist and doing what they did. I wanted to work with my hands and make those connections with the patients.”
Knight said through her volunteer work she has seen many Kansas Citians who do not have access to or cannot afford dental care.
Knight said she relishes studying dentistry at UMKC.
“I love my time here,” Knight said. “The thing that makes this dental school so great is the people here. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming.”
Knight said she appreciates the attention she has received for volunteering, but is not too keen on being on TV or in the newspaper all the time.
“I’m still not used to it,” Knight said. “I’m not crazy about seeing myself on TV. I always think ‘Wow, I didn’t look good there.’ But my parents and grandparents are certainly proud.”