Black Hawks scholar soars

A Grafton High School student is one of 20 nominees from Wisconsin for the prestigious U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.

Luca Nicoli was nominated by Principal Scott Mantei before being selected by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction to be a national finalist.

“It is a great opportunity and I was glad to be given it,” Nicoli said.

Nicoli wrote three essays for his application, including one about overcoming a struggle, which for him meant a battle with several allergies.

“It is trying to balance everything,” he said.

After sending out his application, Nicoli said, he accepted “whatever happens, happens.”

Mantei said he is proud of Nicoli.

“Luca truly embodies the qualities of a scholar while actively participating in extracurricular activities and being a positive leader at the high school,” he said. “Even better, Luca is an outstanding person.”

Nicoli said he has applied to Purdue University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and he has been accepted at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Indiana. He said he wants to study engineering.

Nicoli is the captain of the swim team and is on the tennis team. He is a leader in the Black Hawk Crew, a group of upperclassmen who help freshman through their first year, and is a member of the botany club and the National Honor Society.

He is also a member of the competitive swim program Ozaukee Aquatics.