Rather than waking up an hour or two before the school day, Grace Nickas, senior, starts her day four hours earlier. On a typical say, Nickas wakes up and starts her drive to downtown Portland at 4:30 a.m.
“I’ve been rowing for four years now,” Nickas said. “I row for Rose City Rowing and we have practice before and after school every day.”
Rowing has become a big part of her life, and it motivates her every day. Even though she goes through every day in blistered covered hands, it is all worth it in Nickas’ mind.
“Next year I’m hoping to row for Gonzaga,” Nickas said.
When she isn’t rowing for them, you’ll be able to find Nickas in the science building as she prepares for her future as a nurse.
“My favorite class has been AP Biology,” Nickas said.
The motivation and drive that flows through her on race day is easily reflected through her years of high school. Nickas joined journalism to improve her writing skills freshman year, and since then has been a section editor, a business manager and now for her senior year, she is a co-editor-in-chief of The Amplifier.
“I know my dream job doesn’t have much to do with journalism, but writing articles and managing the paper is a great way to build various skills,” Nickas said.
With her packed schedule and future on the horizon, Nickas savors the few precious moments of free time she can find.
“When I can, you can usually find me napping or watching Netflix,” Nickas said.
![MORE THAN A GAME. With two diving catches in the outfield, the Lions showed up defensively, aiding in their victory over the Pacers. One catch was made by Atwood, and the other by McGraw. Throughout the game, the Lions knew that it wasn’t just about their victory today. “I think [playing for cancer] makes it bigger than just a game,” McGraw said. “Knowing that you have a bigger impact in this world than just who you are as one person.”](https://wlhsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/I70A1454-1-1200x800.jpg)
![Students in the National Art Honor Society work on the Mount Hood mural on the window of SouthLake Church. The students brought a variety of paints and mixed their own custom colors. “Instead of brushstrokes, we’re doing more dabbing, because it gives [a] better impression of tree foliage, rather than looking like actual brush strokes, because if we’re painting trees, we need it to look like trees,” Crawford said.](https://wlhsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/IMG_2397-1200x900.jpg)
