Student-Athlete Spotlight: Auveonna Perkins, Penn State New Kensington
Welcome to our Student-Athlete Spotlight series. In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the PSUAC had to cancel its fall and winter sport seasons. This prevented several student-athletes from receiving a proper senior day and minimized opportunities for Player of the Week awards. In its place, throughout the reaminder of the semester we will highlight seniors and other student-athletes who will be leaving their campus to finish their degree.
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Name: Auveonna Perkins
Campus: New Kensington
Primary Sport: Basketball/Volleyball
Primary Position(s): Forward
Hometown: Arnold, PA
High School: Valley Jr./Sr. High School
Major: Communications
Academic Achievements: Dean’s List, PSUAC Academic All Conference, 3.93 GPA
Additional Info: Member of the women’s basketball and volleyball teams. Primary position for volleyball is right side hitter.
How did your Penn State education prepare you for life after graduation or in your next steps? I would say that Penn State has such a huge alumni society, so their really is a Penn State everywhere and that is nice to know there’s someone out there who shares that PSU bond with you and is supporting you while you work in your field.
How do you hope to be remembered by teammates and coaches? I hope to be remembered for a positive attitude and always being willing to do whatever the team needed.
What is your favorite memory from playing your sport at Penn State? My favorite memory would have to be having the overall chance to play. I was able to have a volleyball and basketball season in general(which at the time was normal) and now because of the pandemic it shows how easily something you enjoy can be taken away. The fact that I was able to play my freshman year and say I was a college athlete and just being able to compete will be my favorite memory.
What is the best advice you ever received from a coach or teammate that you would share with other student-athletes? The word “can’t” means consciously admitting not trying. I was told this by a coach and it has stuck with me. So in certain times when you feel like you “can’t”, think about what it means, and then realize you can by digging deep down and it’ll make you that much stronger.
What are you most looking forward to post graduation? Or in your transition to University Park (or other campus) to finish your degree? I am looking forward to continuing my college journey, meeting new people, having new opportunities, and being in a new atmosphere while continuing to learn.
What are some of the tools or skills that you learned through all the years of playing your sport that you plan to instill once you enter the workforce? The concept of facing adversity. When it comes to a game, you never know what could happen and you have to face in the moment. And life/the workforce is very similar, you may not know what could happen at times, but if you are able to face that adversity head on and learn and grow from it, it’ll make you that much stronger throughout daily life and your career.
What impact did athletics have on your experience as a college student? What is your favorite memory outside of athletics during your time as a student-athlete? Athletics has allowed me to meet new people, force me to manage my time, and allowed me to have the title student-athlete. My favorite memory outside of athletics during my time as a student-athlete was all the fun events we got to have and enjoy pre-covid.
Please use this space to thank anyone you wish to acknowledge for their support during your academic and athletic career. I would like to thank all of the coaches from my individual sports. Coach Megan and Coach Dave. Coach Volek and Coach Hughes. Thank you to all of these coaches for seeing the potential in me and investing time in my athletic career. It means more than you know.A thank you to our trainer Larissa. I love all of the laughs shared and you making sure we are healthy. A thank you to all of my teammates, for the good and bad times, the laughs, and your support and encouragement. Thank you to every single professor I had and the knowledge you shared with me during my academic journey. Lastly, a big thank you to my family. I would not be who I am or where I am without your support and love and I cherish that everyday. I hope I made you proud.