High School: Patrick Henry High School
College: Yale University

When Nick Kelly has an idea, it takes off like a rocket. Nick uses his charismatic personality to motivate those around him. Despite the challenges he knew he’d face, Nick led a community wide political movement, “Save our Schools,” to advocate for public education funding. Evidenced by his many speech and debate successes, Nick’s skill with rhetoric played a large part in his being chosen as one of two students from California to meet President Obama. The dedication that Nick shows to his community and the force with which he follows his passion will most certainly grow into large-scale change as he studies ethics, politics and economics at Yale and beyond.

Words I live by:
“This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one.  I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community, and as long as I live it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work the more I live.”  George Bernard Shaw