It was a bitterly cold winter evening, but that didn’t stop the Lady Knights and their supporters from packing the stands to witness history in the making.
Inside the “Castle,” the atmosphere told a different story. The chill from outside was replaced with heat and anticipation as senior Knight Dallis Stewart etched her name into Renaissance Academy history, becoming the first athlete to score 1,000 points.
The score stood at 20–6 in the second quarter, with 1 minute and 49 seconds on the clock. Needing just two more points to reach the milestone, Dallis stepped back and released the ball, letting it spin effortlessly off her fingertips. The sound of the swoosh, cutting through the silence, confirmed what everyone in the stands already felt, Dallis Stewart had made history.
Later that night, the magnitude of the achievement began to settle in.
“I think that it really sunk in when I got home that night and the next day at school,” Stewart said. “Seeing all of the support that I received made it feel real.”
While Stewart entered the game feeling calm and focused, the weight of the milestone quickly became apparent once the game began.
“Going into the game I felt very relaxed and was ready to get it and move on,” she explained. “But the second I scored my first point of the game, I could feel the energy and importance of each basket.”
With each point, Stewart kept a mental count, fully aware of how close she was to history. “When it came down to the final two points, I knew,” she said. “That will forever be an unforgettable feeling.”
Becoming the first athlete in school history to reach the milestone is something Stewart takes great pride in, especially knowing it has been a goal since her freshman year.
“It’s definitely an amazing experience,” she said. “I’m proud of myself for being able to leave such a mark on this program and school.”
Her journey to 1,000 points was not defined by a single season, but by years of growth, consistency, and self-reflection. Stewart described her senior season as her most consistent yet, noting that the goal faded from focus early on before quickly becoming reality.
“Once it was understood that I only needed 100 more points, I started to count down the games,” she shared.
That growth extended well beyond the points. Reflecting on her early years, Stewart acknowledged how much she has evolved both on and off the court.
“I remember questioning everything as a freshman, getting down on myself after underperforming, and lacking balance,” she said. “So over the years I’ve grown off the court, which helped better myself on the court.”
Throughout that journey, Stewart credits her teammates as an essential part of her success.
“My team is family to me no matter if we’re on or off the court,” she said. “My individual accomplishments wouldn’t have been possible without them.”
As a senior, Stewart embraces her leadership role by leading through action rather than words.
“Sometimes actions are bigger than words and visualization is the key to understanding,” she said. “So that’s what I try to provide as a leader.”
She hopes her achievement serves as motivation for younger athletes, reminding them that perseverance and patience matter just as much as talent.
“No matter how many trials and tribulations you may feel like you’re going through, you will always receive what you deserve in the end if you work for it,” Stewart said.
Looking ahead, Stewart plans to continue her athletic career at the collegiate level while pursuing sports psychology, a path that reflects her belief in the importance of mental strength.
“You can have all of the talent in the world, but if you aren’t at peace in your mind, then you’ll never reach your full potential,” she said.
As she leaves behind a lasting legacy at Renaissance Academy, Stewart offers this advice to future Lady Knights:
“Everything will come at the right time, so never try to rush the blessings that will surely come when it’s due,” she said. She hopes her milestone inspires others “to go after what you want by doing it the right way,” adding that with the right mindset, determination, and patience, anything is possible.