Big Green's Winning Streak - Nichols School

A Nichols Gift
by Alexandra Logel ’09
When you reflect on where you are at this
moment, who do you give credit to
Whether or not it is a laundry list, surely
one sticks out above the rest. Mine happens
to be this little place right here, Nichols
School. As a senior in college, reflection
is an all-consuming energy. You try and pinpoint which of your
characteristics will guide you toward the “perfect” career path, and
which ones will lead you to success. At 21 years old, I am not going
to preach that I am aware of how the world works, because that
would just be comical. As an educated person who has been given
the opportunity to merely observe, there is one disappointment that
I always come back to: a lack of virtue. It is my goal to emphasize the
value Nichols has instilled in me: honesty. Mark Twain and I can
certainly agree on one thing: “Honesty: the best of all the lost arts.”
I spent my summer in New York City with a public relations
internship in the heart of Manhattan. This window of opportunity
proved to be a great fit. With a career in public relations, the tools
Nichols gave me would be put to the test. I am able to expand on
my writing, communication and leadership skills. Putting an honest
twist on these skills will hopefully create a distinction that will
prove beneficial for everyone. During my senior year at Nichols,
Phil Rimmler ’09 and I were elected to the position of class
presidents. Sure, we could try and make jokes, but standing in front
of everyone in Morning Meetings requires a sense of confidence. As
a member of the Nichols community, I was never intimidated by
my audience. I felt as though I had a relationship with everyone in
Have you written a
book recently
A film or TV show
Are you a journalist
Do you write
for a newspaper, magazine
or other publication
We would love to chat with you!
Email Nina Barone at
nbarone@nicholsschool.org
their chairs. Given the privilege to lead class discussions and defend
my beliefs, Nichols expected me to be confident. During my time
spent there, I came across a quote that has stuck with me: “People
are just people and they shouldn’t make you nervous.” With this
quote in mind, and my experiences at Nichols, my internship
could not have been more successful. I was given the freedom to
contact the world’s top magazine editors and newspapers. The goal
was to establish relations with these magazines in order to further
promote our brand. We were trying to get a spread in each of the
publications that would help to create celebrity appreciation and
collaboration. With a hopeful career in public relations, I will try to
maintain honesty in my work as well as with those I associate with.
I could sit here and rattle off to you the different skills Nichols
gave me, but I will not. To be honest, the skills are great, but they
are not unique. There are plenty of competitive independent
schools whose students are learning the same materials. What sets
us apart is the kind of person Nichols makes us. We are unique
and true. We are proud, confident people who are willing to do
something for the sake of hoping to enlighten others and be the
“difference” everyone looks for. This mentality will be the leading
foot to success. The compliancy with the Honor Code, and the
amount of trust the faculty has with the students is unparalleled.
My first unmonitored exam made me realize just how much virtue is
stressed at Nichols. Does it surprise you that years after graduation,
there is a natural desire to re-connect with this place I would think
not. Nichols gives you the feeling of possibility and greatness that
we all crave. We are successful because these sentiments never fade.
We carry them through to further academia and work places. I try
to demonstrate honesty through my writing, conversations and
leadership. Honesty is not something that can be easily obtained.
It is through the wisdom and devotion that the faculty here at
Nichols instills on their students. The stories and experiences they
tell, make them not just an educator, but also a mentor. They act as
a moral compass during our time spent here.
For many, college is the place you award credit to after your four
years of growing and academic challenges. My credit is given to
Nichols first and then college as a continuation of the molding I
already received. I will let you all in on a little secret. To be honest,
I have never mentioned this story before due to self-embarrassment.
My freshman year, Bob Crowell awarded me with an F on my first
English paper. “I don’t get Fs,” I sternly told him, to which he replied,
“Well, my dear, you earned it.” Wow. It was like taking a bullet. As a
confident writer, I can finally stop and laugh at the position I was in.
At the end of my four years, I was an A English student, hoping to
become a New York Times Best Seller – stay tuned.
At this point I’m sure it is clear, I love this place. For those
of you reading, we are probably on the same page. There is
something to be said about being a part of something rewarding
and fundamentally sound. Nichols gives you the basics. The basics
that are responsible for supporting you through your endeavors,
whatever they may be. They are a gift, so run with them. For now,
all I can do is kindly say thank you. I am sure that each one of us
will find a way to express our thanks in ways other than words.
46 Nichols School