Janet Sweat. Kent Highschool, Class of 2021. Graduated Magna Cum Laude from Roanoke College, Class 2025, with a Bachelor's of Science in Sports Management.

How did GRASP and its advisors help you in high school/college?

The monthly prompts and guidance were extremely helpful in keeping me on task and focused. They sometimes included reminders of upcoming due dates or tasks that I need to complete. The guidance awarded after replying to prompts were reassuring and encouraging; most times it was exactly what I needed to hear.

What are you doing now?

I started working as a Community Engagement Assistant with the Roanoke City Sheriff's Office on September 2nd. In this role, I help plan, organize, and execute events while engaging with the community through programs such as monthly Triad meetings and our quarterly Life Essential pop-up event, aimed at supporting the homeless population.

Additionally, I am still pursuing my Master’s degree in Sports Industry Management through Georgetown University's School of Continuing Studies. I am proud to announce that I have already completed one of my classes and expect to finish my first semester by the end of December 2025.

What advice would you give to high school students?

If I could give any piece of advice, it would be to get involved. Your experience at college really is what you make it; connect with your campus community, pursue professional and academic opportunities. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there because you learn the most when you step outside your comfort zone.

What is the biggest life challenge you faced relative to your educational path?

The biggest challenge I faced during my academic journey was overcommitting myself. My responsibilities and obligations began to overwhelm me and add undue amounts of stress to my day to day. I had to learn to take life one step at a time and that it is okay to not run on all cylinders all the time. I came to recognize what I could accomplish in addition to my class load on a daily basis without causing too much stress. It was a lesson in prioritization, the tasks and events were important and needed to be done but not all at once.

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If you are a former GRASP student and would like to share your story, email Paula Buckley, pbuckley@grasp4va.org.