Written by Sophia Dragoo.
Just over two years ago, a UCF student had a goal: bringing UCF together and making it a better place. Knightly noticed a common issue, stating: “Most of the freshmen seemed very closed off and afraid to be themselves. New environment, new everything,” so he came up with a solution. Knightly was born from the simple concept of making students happier and safer, bringing them together one student at a time “I began running around campus cleaning up litter and talking to anyone who was having a bad day.” Knightly said.
Unlike UCF’s well known mascot, Knightro, Knightly isn’t affiliated with the university and doesn’t get paid for the work he does for campus. “I’m just a guy, broke and struggling to pass his classes, like everybody else, and what I do is something that everyone is capable of doing every single day,” he explained. According to him, his favorite part about being Knightly is the reactions from his fellow students. “It never, ever gets old. Every time I suit up and head out, I always notice when people become more cheerful and colorful around me.” Knightly and his sidekick Rookie have been approached for photos hundreds of times, and he expressed that it always brightens his spirits to make student’s days.
When asked, the masked hero stated he has no plans of revealing who’s behind Knightly, despite the appealing idea of his identity being known, he insists, “It’s not about me. It never has been. It’s about doing the right thing when no one is looking.” Although some would argue his anonymity means there’s no one to attribute these good deeds to, Knightly prefers this. “There has to be goodness, and kindness, and selfless charity in the world without reward, because that’s what it’s all about.”
At the end of the day, Knightly is an ordinary student, more importantly, represents who students can be and their potential as people. By embodying Knightly, this anonymous students sparked change and created a brighter atmosphere on campus. “We can all be Knightly. We can all be heroes, and that’s what I aim to express.” he says.
One last message from Knightly: stay on the lookout for his nemesis “The UCF Alien”, stating that he and Rookie are constantly on the lookout for this extraterrestrial. “Oh, and Go Knights…you know the rest.”
