Colin Fakhari

Colin Fakhari
For eighth grader Colin Fakhari, the Nichols experience is defined by challenge, growth, and a steady focus on what comes next. From adjusting to more demanding academics to developing a leadership mindset on and off the lacrosse field, Colin shares how Nichols has pushed him to work harder, support others, and embrace a “next play” approach that values effort, character, and community over perfection.

The Next Play: Why the Best Is Yet to Come for Colin Fakhari

For Colin Fakhari ’30, the journey to Nichols School began with a bit of a twist. Originally from Florida and now living in Elma, N.Y., Colin wasn’t the one who initially lined the green-and-white hallways of Nichols. "It’s kind of a funny story," Colin laughs. "The lacrosse coach wanted me to come here... but my sister, McKenzie ‘28, ended up loving the tour even more than I did. She enrolled first."

Colin watched McKenzie dive into the workload and the community. Seeing her find her footing gave him the confidence to follow her footsteps. Now an 8th-grade Prefect and a key part of the lacrosse team, Colin has found that the school is less about the scoreboard and more about the person you become while you're trying to win.

The transition from public school was a bit of a wake-up call for Colin, especially regarding his academic workload.

"At my old school, I never really had to study for a test. I’d just walk in and get a good grade," he admits. "But here, it’s a good challenge. It makes you strive to work harder... it pushes you as a person and makes you better."

Whether it’s staying after school with Ms. Hawthorne for extra math help or diving into science with Ms. Harden, Colin has embraced the challenge. "I saw the amount of time and effort my sister had to put in. It gave me a foundation of knowledge for what I needed to do to succeed."

That drive carries over to the lacrosse field, where Colin heeds a "next play" mentality. At Nichols, he’s learned that being a leader doesn't mean you have to be perfect every time you step on the turf. "You might not always have the best game. You might not score a goal, or you might drop a pass," Colin says. "But Nichols has taught me to focus on the next play... if your teammates have a better game than you and the team wins, that’s all that matters."

As a Middle School Prefect, Colin brings that energy to the hallways. He’s the student who looks for the fifth grader sitting alone in the dining hall. "I always say, just pull up an extra chair. Those little kind things build up." For Colin, being a leader means being accessible. "It doesn’t matter if they’re in fifth grade or eighth grade. If anyone ever needs help during X-Block or study hall, you can always find me."

Looking ahead to Upper School, Colin isn't really nervous; he’s excited. He’s looking forward to the chance to play on a varsity team and learn from the upperclassmen who have been through it all before him. “It just makes our community better,” he says.

For Colin, staying at Nichols isn’t just about the next four years; it’s about representing the name on the back of his jersey and the family at home. “My last name means everything. If you don’t set a good example, it affects everyone—my sister, my parents, my grandparents.”

By continuing into the Upper School, Colin isn’t just choosing a high school; he’s choosing to remain in an environment that treats him like family while preparing him for the real world. His advice for anyone thinking about joining the Nichols family? Just jump in.

“I promise you, once you become part of the family, you never want to leave.”