Levi Mayer

Student Spotlight

Levi Mayer
For Levi Mayer ’28, Nichols School is a place to explore widely and grow with confidence. A sophomore deeply involved in academics, athletics, the arts, and leadership, Levi shares how opportunities across campus, from sailing on Lake Erie to performing on stage, have shaped her experience and sense of belonging.

From Hogwarts to Home: Finding Freedom and Community at Nichols

What does it look like when a student follows her curiosity wherever it leads?

For sophomore Levi Mayer ‘28, it looks like a full day that moves effortlessly from AP classes to a musical rehearsal, from time on the water setting sail with her teammates to late afternoons exploring clubs and leadership opportunities across campus. It also looks like freedom. Freedom to explore interests fully, to try something new even when it feels unfamiliar, and to become more confident in who she is.

That sense of freedom has shaped Levi’s Nichols experience from the very beginning.

THE MAGIC OF FIFTH GRADE
Levi arrived at Nichols in fifth grade, and the experience immediately felt different with a sense of wonder and possibility, like stepping into a storybook.

“To fifth-grade me, Nichols was my Hogwarts. The campus is beautiful,” she said. “It differed so much from my previous public school experience because the school centered its focus on each student. It felt magical that they focused on me.”

That first impression stayed with her, but what mattered most was not the setting. It was the recognition that she was seen and supported as an individual. From those early days on the Amherst Street campus, Levi found herself immersed in an environment that encouraged curiosity across academics, athletics, the arts, leadership, and beyond. It was a place where exploration was welcomed and the options felt endless.

She was also quietly aware that she was setting an example. As the oldest of four siblings, with three younger brothers Tucker ’29, Lincoln ’31, and Maverick ’33 following behind her, Levi understood early on that her experience would help shape theirs too.

A FULL DAY THAT REFLECTS HER INTERESTS

Today, Levi’s schedule reflects the range of opportunities she has chosen to pursue. She balances demanding academics with a wide range of activities and responsibilities. She is involved in sailing, soccer, hockey, and lacrosse, performs in school musicals and plays, sings in choir, and participates in clubs including Model UN, Robotics, Art Alive, Green Key, and Women in Business. She also helps co-run the Nichols clothing swap.

Despite the long list of commitments, there is a sense of ease in how she talks about her days, and her parents even joke that if Nichols had beds, Levi would probably sleep here too.

“My parents say that because I am here early in the morning for activities, and then here late into the night, I just spend a lot of time on campus,” she explained with a laugh. “Nichols is like another home to me, and amazing people fill it. I do so many fun and interesting things here.”

The comment is lighthearted, but it points to something deeper. “Nichols opened up doors for me to try all these new things, and I think that is the most unique thing,” she says. “The school offers so many different clubs and activities, and they provide so many ways for people to just get out there into things they never thought they’d try.”

THE CALL OF THE OPEN WATER
One of the most unexpected discoveries in Levi’s time at Nichols came through sailing on Lake Erie.

“It felt freeing to me. I felt in control of this boat, riding the wind,” Levi recalled. “Sailing is a passion of mine, and I love that I get to do it through Nichols. It makes me really happy.”

That moment on the water represents more than a new activity. It marked a turning point for Levi, giving her a new way to challenge herself and find joy through something entirely her own. Levi was trusted to try something unfamiliar, to take responsibility, and to experience the satisfaction that comes from mastering a challenge on her own terms.

Sailing became a space where independence, confidence, and joy came together, reinforcing the idea that learning does not stop at the classroom door.

LEADING BY EXAMPLE
As Levi has grown more confident in her own path, she has become increasingly aware of her role within the larger community. She sees Nichols not just as a place where students pursue individual interests, but as a shared journey.

“I feel like being part of the Nichols community is a really special experience because everyone goes through this journey together,” she shared. “Even though we might end up in different places, we form a community here.”

That perspective matters to her, especially knowing that her younger brothers will one day walk the same halls. Levi leads not by seeking attention, but by engaging with the opportunities in front of her and showing others that it is possible to try broadly, commit fully, and remain grounded.

Her advice for students considering Nichols reflects that mindset.

“Try everything. Nichols offers numerous unique opportunities, and you shouldn’t let them go to waste. It might feel a bit scary, but don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone.”

FINDING FREEDOM, FINDING HOME
Looking back, Levi’s story comes full circle. What began as a sense of wonder in fifth grade has grown into something more enduring: a feeling of freedom rooted in curiosity, courage, and connection.

Nichols gave her the space to explore who she is and the confidence to keep going wherever her interests take her. In that way, the magic she felt at the beginning never disappeared. It simply became part of everyday life.