Nicholas Padron
Age: 17 School: Western High in Davie Grade: 11th Hometown: Davie
Trait: Respect
Nicholas earns the respect of his peers and teachers with his consistently positive outlook and desire to help others.
“I like to be involved,” Nicholas says. “I like to try new things and take on new challenges.”
Kathryn Ramirez, social studies teacher: He’s a very intuitive person and very emotionally mature. I met Nicholas when he was a freshman in my class. He is again in my class this year.
He is always so helpful, without asking. Not just with me, but with the other teachers, too. When dealing with peers, he is very careful with his words and listens, which is a rare quality for young people. He is respected by his peers and the faculty. He is slated to be president of student government next year.
He’s a wonderful student and always participates and encourages his peers to do the same. If he sees someone struggling, he’s always ready to help. Almost every day, he asks if I need assistance. The fact that he inquires, it says a lot about who he is as a person.
If he’s concerned about another student, he lets me know they need help. He’s very aware of others. It’s a very innate thing for him to reach out. It comes naturally to him. It’s very effortless.
Glenn and Gena Padron, parents: At Western, he takes advanced classes. Before he was even attending there, the first summer, he put in 100 volunteer hours helping teachers.
His goal is to earn a scholarship. Nicholas loves knowledge and helping his teachers. He’s very motivated. He even gave up his ticket this summer for our family cruise, so he could attend a student government conference.
He’s very dedicated and hard working. He always wants to better himself and work toward the future. He follows everything through.
Nicholas Padron: It’s the obvious thing to do, to help my teachers and students.
I try to help out with everything I can. I’m in five clubs, including Best Buddies, student government, Interact Club, Social Activism Club and Ultimate Frisbee.
One of the biggest things I am doing right now at school is the Harvest Drive, where we collect money and non-perishables to feed people in the community. We do it twice a year, in the fall and spring. I am the chairman this year. I personally feel it’s very important. It’s necessary to help people in the community and make a difference.
What motivates me to keep going is There’s always a new door to be opened.
My teachers and the students see what I do and appreciate it. I have different groups of friends, and I always try to bring them together through something that I’m doing. It makes it more fun.
— Beth Feinstein-Bartl
curiosity.