Dylan Suchak

Dylan Suchak
Freshman Dylan Suchak’s Nichols experience centers on advanced learning and growing independence. Through dual enrollment in the University at Buffalo Gifted Math Program, he challenges himself with university-level mathematics while remaining fully connected to Nichols. Alongside his academic pursuits, Dylan shares how he explores emerging technology through the AI Club and finds focus on the golf course, reflecting on how these experiences prepare him for what comes next.

For freshman Dylan Suchak, the halls of Nichols School have felt familiar for nearly a decade. Long before he was a student here, he was a five-year-old tagging along with his older sister, Nikki ‘25, at an open house, wandering through the Middle School library. When he finally walked through those same doors as a fifth grader, the sense of belonging was immediate. "It all clicked," Dylan says. "It felt like a space I was already used to. I felt like I was at home."

Now a freshman in the Upper School, Dylan is a clear example of how the Nichols environment helped a student find their footing.

One of the most unique aspects of Dylan’s schedule is his participation in the UB Gifted Math Program. While many schools offer advanced tracks, Nichols partners with the University at Buffalo to enable Dylan to tackle a university-level curriculum while remaining fully immersed in the Nichols community.

For Dylan, this isn’t just an extra class; it’s a way to bridge his two worlds. "Nichols lets me take math here and out there, which helps reinforce everything," Dylan explains. "It makes me more prepared for my classes here, and it helps me get ready for college. It’s all intertwining."

This dual-enrollment approach allows Dylan to push his limits in mathematics without losing the daily support of his Nichols teachers. He is quick to credit his advisor, Mr. Mauser, for being a constant resource. "He’s a math teacher, so whenever we need help with Pre-Calculus or Algebra 2, he’s there for us," Dylan says. Having a "trusted adult" on campus who understands the rigor of his outside coursework makes the transition between high school and university-level math seamless.

EXPANDING FREEDOMS
The jump from Middle School to High School often brings a bit of "schedule shock," but Dylan has embraced the independence of the Upper School. He relies heavily on X-Block, a Nichols trademark, a flexible period used for meeting with advisors or seeking extra help.

"I like the freedom we have," Dylan says. "We have more free periods to work on homework, which is a big difference from middle school. X-Block is the most flexible for me; I can go see my teacher about a Physics problem, then head over to English, and still have a good area to work with my friends so we can help each other out."

That collaborative effort extends into his science classes, where he finds inspiration in Mr. Coburn’s physics classroom. Dylan appreciates a teaching style that prioritizes the process of learning over a raw score on a page. "His grading is designed toward growth," Dylan notes. "I think growing is more important than just getting the grades. We’re learning about kinematics and forces right now, and it’s cool because physics is everywhere in the world."

BETWEEN THE TECH AND THE TURF
When he isn’t in the classroom, Dylan’s time is split between the cutting edge and the traditional. As a member of the AI Club, he isn’t just looking for shortcuts; he’s trying to deconstruct how technology is actually going to change the jobs he might hold one day. "It’s about learning how to study properly with it," he says, treating the tech like a tool rather than a novelty.

But to clear his head, he swaps the screen for the green. Dylan picked up golf during the pandemic, a time when most other sports were sidelined, and it’s since become his daily reset. Now a member of the Varsity team, he’s found that the game is surprisingly social for a solo sport.

"The team makes us a unit," Dylan says. "If one person struggles, we all feel it. When we win, we triumph together." For him, the appeal isn't just the scorecard; it's the hours spent walking the course with friends, away from the pressure of university-level math and the hectic schedule of freshman year.

CHARTING HIS FUTURE SUCCESS
Reflecting on his journey, Dylan sees how every part of the Nichols experience has built upon the last. He remembers the "Community Meetings" in Middle School, where the whole grade would gather to share talents or work through challenges together. That sense of community is what he carries with him into the Upper School.

"Nichols is a place where you're invited in," Dylan says. "It has the best athletics, the academics, and a great social life. It’s all blended into one day of school."

His advice for students following in his footsteps reflects his own balanced approach: "Don’t take school too seriously. Have a good time with your friends, and you’ll learn as you go." With a heavy math load, a varsity sport, and a seat in the AI club, Dylan Suchak is doing exactly that—learning, growing, and making the most of every "intertwined" opportunity.