Meet Your NeighborThe Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Meet Your Neighborby Jacob Irish, Quill Reporter
Meet Your Neighbor, Catlyn Nichols who was born in Galesburg on March 17, 1996.
Catlyn is the daughter of Jeff and Kathy Nichols of Stronghurst.
Jeff recently retired from the West Central School District where he was the Middle School principal for 17 years and a teacher before at Southern before that; and her mother Kathy works as a daycare provider in Stronghurst.
Kathy Nichols is the daughter of Trafferd and Louise Anderson. Louise currently lives in Monmouth, and used to work as a hair dresser. Jeff Nichols is the son of Dale and Dorothy Nichols of Ursa.
Catlyn has two siblings: Casey Nichols (29) and Curtis Nichols (17).
Catlyn graduated from West Central High School in 2014. While in school, she participated in Volleyball, Basketball, band, F.I.R.E club, and National Honors Society. While attending West Central, Catlyn achieved perfect attendance from kindergarten all the way through her senior year of high school.
Catlyn now studies Exercise Science & Physical Therapy at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, IA. Apart from her studies, she plays the flute for the St. Ambrose Symphonic Band. She is also part of the philanthropic group, Dance Marathon. Dance Marathon is a group of motivated individuals that plan and implement fundraising events to raise money for Children s Miracle Network. In 2014, Catlyn and Dance Marathon raised about $175,000 for Children's Miracle Network.
While in high school Catlyn worked at Oak Lane Nursing & Rehab for two years. For the summer months of 2015, Catlyn is working as an AmeriCorps Volunteer in Service to America at Family Outreach Community Center in Stronghurst.
In her free time, Catlyn loves to work with her youth group at St. Patrick's Church in Raritan. Catlyn and the St. Patrick's youth group work hard to plan and fundraise for mission trips. This year, St. Patrick's youth group will be traveling to Hardeeville, South Carolina to share the gospel with those in need.
She also enjoys spending time with her family and playing with kids.
The Nichols family has a few traditions that Catlyn looks forward to each year. The Nichols family takes their annual family vacation to Florida where they enjoy relaxing together as a family and venturing through the amusement parks. Catlyn also looks forward to her grandmother s tenderloins that she cooks each time the entire family gets together.
In the future, Catlyn plans to use her knowledge of physical therapy to better the lives of the world's youth and geriatric populations.
Catlyn's favorite quote is from her youth group leader, Cindy Jo Kane:
Live your life out loud. Be proud of who you are. Love with all your heart. Take in everything around you. Cry when you need to cry. FEEL every moment in your life. It makes you who you are. Fight the good fight. Take a stand for what is right.