Scholarship Impact inside.hokiesports.com 25 By Bailey Angle Kahleje “KJ” Tillmon’s positivity and charisma consistently shine through any adversity that stands in his path. “I was always the type tomakepeople laugh,”saidTillmon, a sophomore sprinter originally from Philadelphia. “Whenever I meet somebody, it’s all love. I never have bad intentions or anything like that.” In May 2022, Tillmon’s ability to shatter the daunting challenges in front of him culminated in being awarded a full scholarship to continue running track at Virginia Tech. The former walkon gleamed with sincere appreciation when he took a small moment to reflect on what that moment meant for him. “I definitely cried. It was just like a weight lifted off my shoulders. The first thing I was thinking was: ‘Thank you, grandmother,” Tillmon recalled, whose grandmother passed away the day after his 19th birthday. “’Mama, I lifted this weight off your shoulder. My family, I did this for you.’” Continued on page 26
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