Newly-elected Student Council President Nick Collias is now in the position he has been dreaming about and preparing for, for some time.
“Never give up and don’t let others tell you that you can’t do something. People told me I’m not gonna be student council president, but you just keep working at it, then eventually it all works out in the end,” says Collias.
Leading up to the election, Collias felt nervous but also loved the opportunity to give his campaign speech after an all-school mass.
“I’ve been looking forward to it for years,” he says.
He’s having a blast with his new role.
“I wouldn’t have anyone else be our school’s president,” says Student Council Secretary George Kottaras.
Growing up in Orland Park, playing football and different sports with the neighborhood kids during quarantine was one of Collias’ favorite memories. Transitioning from a public junior high to a private high school was different for him, but he quickly found it easy to make fun memories at Marist.
“This was one memory from freshman year: We played Brother Rice at Rice, I was in the student section and we stormed the field. It was insane, definitely a top memory for me,” says Collias.
After graduation, Collias plans to attend college. He is a Wisconsin fan because of their football team but is also currently looking into North Carolina and Texas.
“I kind of want to get out of Illinois. I don’t travel much so going to a college out of state would be nice,” says Collias.
He is currently interested in a mechanical engineering major or becoming a lawyer but as of right now, Collias has not committed.
In five years, Collias can picture himself int he working world.
“Trying to set up my future at a company, even if it’s starting at the bottom and working my way up to where I want to be,” says Collias.
Most people describe their siblings as annoying, rude, or troublesome, but not Collias. Instead he admires and relates to his older sister.
“Everything she’s gone through, relates to what I’m going through… it’s kind of easy to ask her for advice,” says Collias.
Everyone has an idol or someone they admire in life, and for Collias, it’s his mother.
“I look up to my mom, seeing her working hard at what she does, and just learning from her past and her teaching me,” he says.
Collias admires his mother’s work ethic and sees himself in her. He describes himself as a hard worker, kind, and a helpful person. Others describe him as a great leader and a caring person. He hopes everyone can perceive him this way.
“Nick has shown time and time again that he is a leader both in the classroom and on football field, and has been nothing short of a great friend of mine these past four years,” says Kottaras.
