Building a Legacy at Crete Monee High School

By: Nylah Smith

Feature/Entertainment Reporter

Roman Nelson, a 17-year-old student, is positive, hardworking, and smart. His goal in school is to be a role model for younger students and leave a good impact on Crete Monee High School.

“The thing I'm passionate about at school is leading by example and leaving a good impact,” Nelson said.

Teachers and staff describe Roman as a hardworking and positive student. He keeps up with his work and still manages to participate in extracurricular activities. He is in the Student Attendance Committee, PBIS, and Ignition. He also represents the high school at open houses and college, career, and course fairs.

“Roman is a leader, has a positive attitude, and always strives to be his best,” Mrs. Mikal said.

Roman’s academics are important to him. In the first semester, Roman earned the Principal’s Honor Roll. What he did to get this was to stay on track with his work. He uses his calendar to write down assignments, events, etc. When things are challenging, Roman relies on his faith and the supportive community he has built within the school.

“I've faced many challenges. I got through them one with God through prayer, and secondly by building a community within the school,” Nelson said.

Roman’s peers in school really admire his kindness, integrity, and accountability. They say he is someone who always completes his goals and does his best in everything. He makes sure everyone is included and participates in every event. He loves school spirit and makes school spirit fun for other kids at school. Like during football games, he dressed up and showed school spirit. He inspires people to stay focused and be nice.

“What lesson I can take from him is always to keep my eye on the goal, and always to stay strong and dedicated to my goals and work,” Rachel Nelson said.

Roman’s plans for the future are to be an A-list actor. He plans to attend DePaul University to earn his BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts), where he will study acting, and then, after graduation, move to Georgia to pursue his dreams. People who inspire him are his mentor from church, Dr. Will, and actor Denzel Washington. What keeps him motivated are his dreams: he has a plan and knows what he wants to do in life. His advice to others is to keep faith in God, if you believe in him, and to follow your dreams.

“If you believe in God, keep him first in everything, leave everyone who even slightly diminishes your dreams, follow your dreams, and if someone asks what your backup plan is, run because your first plan will succeed,” Nelson said.