Anthony Nicholas

He described himself as a "late bloomer," an average student, and rather careless about his studies. In fact, his high school guidance counselor was shocked he got accepted into college at all, and even then he didn't take things seriously. It wasn't until his third or fourth year in college that reality hollered and Anthony Nicholas listened.

It was the grim vision of working day after gloomy day inside the dingy walls of the local factory that finally called Mr. Nicholas to attention. While that livelihood was right for some, it wasn't how he wanted to spend the rest of his life, and he soon came to grips with that as the unhappy alternative lurked in his future. Fortunately, Mr. Nicholas' foresight led him down a much more appealing path. It's hard to believe that this would-be slacker is now Kiski Area's dedicated and ingenuitive high school principal.

Born and raised in the Alle-Kiski region, Anthony Nicholas graduated Kiski Area High School in 1966. He went on to receive a Bachelor degree from Slippery Rock before being drafted into the service in 1970 during Vietnam. Originally, he had the notion of pursuing his doctorate and teaching at the college level, but after two years in the service, his scholarship to school was no longer available. So with no money and no job, Mr. Nicholas began substitute teaching and a year later gained a position with Kiski in the Social Studies department. He said it was basically economics that pushed him into teaching, but it was a good decision. "This has been a good school district for me...graduating and teaching here. There are great kids here."

Despite offers to teach at other schools, Mr. Nicholas has remained faithful to his hometown school. He taught Social Studies both at the Junior and Senior high school levels for 22 years. During that time he also coached football for 19 years, Jr. high track for 12 years, sponsored Jr. and Sr. high student councils, and was the Social Studies Department Head for seven years.

In 1990, his daughter Stephanie was born and during that time, he took leave from work to finish his administrative certification at Duquesne where he also earned his Masters degree. Mr. Nicholas loved teaching but wanted the ability to affect the school in a bigger way - outside the walls of just one classroom.

In his seven years at the administrative level, he's implemented many of his ideas including adding at least six more Advanced Placement courses, and an alternative education program that meets after school hours for students who require more individual and detailed instruction. In the past three years, Kiski has also gone back to having an outside graduation ceremony, and this year they are about to embark on a 40 million dollar renovation project that will last about three years. The remodeling will bring to the school a new science building, additional gym and music areas, more computers, and updated interiors of the current buildings. Other new policies include an adjusted bell schedule and new attendance requirements.

Outside of school duties, Mr. Nicholas serves on the Kiski Area Youth Commission, and he enjoys watching sports and reading in his free time. His wife, Shelly, is a teacher also and they've lived for the past 16 years in Allegheny Township.

I think Mr. Nicholas' story is one that should encourage any "late bloomer" that with one decision and a new frame of mind, success lies just beyond the horizon.