North Toole County High School junior Nicole Nau has been awarded The Winslow Nichols Leadership Award for her outstanding achievements and contributions to her community. Nominated by her high school volleyball coach and elementary teacher Hali Richmond, Nicole exemplifies what it means to be an exemplary student and community member.
Nicole’s impressive extracurricular activities include being a member of the National Honor Society, FCCLA, Student Council, Band and Choir, Pep Band, Cross Country, Volleyball, Basketball, and Track. She also actively volunteers as part of her youth group and plays music weekly for her church congregation. Additionally, she maintains and mows the Welcome to Sunburst sign area and Catholic Church, volunteers at Vacation Bible Study, and frequently attends Lion’s Club functions with her parents, where she donates her time to community service projects.
Adding to her long list of achievements, Nicole has received numerous awards and honors including Academic All-State in all extracurricular activities, such as All-State Cross Country – 2 years, All-State Track, Volleyball Rookie of the Year as a Freshman, Cross Country Running Refiner Award, Participant at FCCLA Nationals after earning superior rating at state level, superior rating in her piano solo at State Music Festival, many state and regional science awards, and KSEN Athlete of the Week this past fall.
Coach Richmond praises Nicole for being the most coachable athlete she’s ever worked with, taking constructive criticism with grace and determination to make immediate adjustments. Nicole was devoted to her studies and sport while maintaining a presence in the community by volunteering at local church groups, mowing lawns of community organizations and businesses, and lending a helping hand to community-wide events and programs.
The Winslow Nichols Leadership Award is named after Winslow Nichols, one of the first winners of the award, previously called the Today’s Achievers, Tomorrow’s Leaders Award, winning the award in February 2020 as a junior at Columbia Falls High School. Tragically, Winslow passed away in June of 2022. Winslow personified the spirit of the award with his strong academic prowess and work ethic, his mentorship to his peers and his involvement in his community. The award was renamed to honor his memory at the start of the 2022 school year.
Nicole Nau’s dedication to her studies and extracurriculars, as well as her commitment to and involvement in her community, make her a deserving winner of the Winslow Nichols Leadership Award. Her achievements and exemplary character inspire others to make a difference in their communities, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for this exceptional young leader.