Not only was Austin Nicholson chosen as Parklane Academy’s STAR Student this year, he also is the only National Merit Scholar in Pike County for 2011.
Nicholson, son of Jeff and Cheryl Nicholson, of McComb, chose Charlie Newlon, an 11th-grade honors U.S. History teacher and former football coach at Parklane, as his STAR Teacher.
The designation was Newlon’s fifth in the STAR program, and Newlon said Nicholson is deserving of his honors.
“He was eager to learn,” Newlon said. “You can tell he’s going to be successful in anything that he goes into. He’s an excellent student.”
American College Test scores and scholastic averages are compared to determine each school’s STAR Student.
National Merit Scholars are chosen on the basis of the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.
“When I found out about being a semifinalist, that was more of a surprise — it’s usually a guarantee you’ll become a scholar if you do everything your’re supposed to,” Nicholson said of moving from National Merit Finalist to National Merit Scholar.
He plans to attend the University of Mississippi and major in music with an emphasis in piano performance. He’s considering a double major in history, but he’s leaving his options open.
“I’m hoping that Ole Miss will help me learn of new ideas and expose me to things I might be interested in,” he said.
Nicholson advises next year’s seniors to start visiting the college campuses they’re interested in as soon as possible and keep in mind the community that supports the campus.
Oxford attracts artists of all types, writers, filmakers, painters and musicians. Nicholson is one of them and confesses a great love of music. He started taking piano lessons at age 5 and now teaches piano and guitar.
“I felt like (Oxford) would be the best for me, that I would have more opportunity there than anywhere else.”
Nicholson and four of his friends write and play their own music and are in the process of recording five original songs in a studio.
Nicholson also plays in a youth contemporary praise group that performs every Wednesday night at Summit United Methodist Church, and he’s the church pianist.
Nicholson said it is important to find the work you love.
“I’d rather have a job that I love than make a lot of money. I want to be secure and to be able to comfortably support a family, but I want to do something that I enjoy,” Nicholson said.
At Parklane, Nicholson is a member of the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta. He placed first in the district and first place in the state for U.S. History in the Academic Betterment Competition. He also has been yearbook editor.
Nicholson was the McComb Exchange Club’s Student of the Month in September 2010. He attended Boys State, participated in the First Baptist Youth Group Praise Band, and was a piano and guitar teacher at Spiers Music.
Nicholson said he’s thankful for being a National Merit Scholar because it means a lot more in scholarship money. And he’s grateful for his experience at Parklane.
“I had a lot of good teachers and a lot of classes that prepared me for what college will be like. I feel like I know what to expect,” he said.
Nicholson said to be successful people need to first find the thing they love to do the most and make that their aim.
“You get out of life what you put into it,” he said. “If you do your best, things will work out for you. Go throughout every day thinking about the decisions you make and what they mean for your future.”
