McKenzie Fakhari

McKenzie Fakhari
Sophomore McKenzie Fakhari ’28 found something different when she first visited Nichols: a community that felt genuinely welcoming. Since arriving in eighth grade, she has immersed herself in athletics, leadership, and academics, reflecting on how Nichols helped her build confidence, form meaningful relationships, and grow into a leader who encourages others to be themselves.

Finding Confidence and Community

From the moment McKenzie Fakhari first stepped onto the Nichols campus, she could feel the difference.

McKenzie, a sophomore from Elma, N.Y., was originally visiting for her younger brother Colin’s lacrosse tour when she immediately noticed something she hadn’t experienced before: people smiling, saying hello, and genuinely welcoming one another.

“I just fell in love with the school,” she said.

That feeling made leaving her old school behind a little easier. Arriving at Nichols in eighth grade without knowing anyone could have been intimidating, but McKenzie quickly found herself embraced by a close-knit community that values connection over cliques.

“There’s no individual here,” she said. “It’s all of us together.”

Now a sophomore, Fakhari has immersed herself in nearly every corner of campus life. She competes in field hockey, basketball, and lacrosse, participates in Green Key, takes AP English, and has already stepped into leadership opportunities, beginning with her role as an eighth-grade prefect in Ontario House.

Though new to the community at the time, she viewed the position as an opportunity to bring fresh ideas and demonstrate she was ready to contribute. Leadership, she says, means helping others, leading by example, and encouraging people to be comfortable being themselves.

That same energy carries into the classroom. McKenzie describes herself as someone who naturally tries to include others, whether that means starting discussion during Harkness conversations or helping classmates feel comfortable sharing their opinions. Nichols’ discussion-based classes, she says, have helped students gain confidence and learn from one another without fear of being wrong.

The balance between challenge and support is one of the things she appreciates most about the school. Coming from a place where academics “weren’t really important,” McKenzie says Nichols taught her how to manage her time, prioritize her work, and take ownership of her future.

“If I want to play sports and do fun things, academics always come first,” she said.

That mindset has helped her pursue bigger goals, including her interest in becoming a lawyer. AP English, she says, has strengthened the writing and communication skills she knows she’ll need down the road.

Just as important as the academics, though, are the relationships she’s built with teachers, coaches, and advisors. She credits the Nichols faculty with creating an environment where students feel supported both inside and outside the classroom.

“Our advisors are kind of like family members at school,” she said. “They’re there to push us and help us grow, but also there if we need anything.”

Nichols has become a family experience in another way, too. Colin, now an eighth grader himself, followed his sister to campus, giving the two a shared connection through athletics, friends, and everyday school life.

“Having a sibling here is definitely special,” McKenzie said. “I kind of feel like I’m creating a path for him.”

As she continues building her own path at Nichols, McKenzie hopes people remember her for the same positivity and energy that first drew her to campus.

“I want to be remembered as someone who pushed people to be the best they can be,” she said.