Congratulations Harlan Nichols.....2023 SODA Winner

Harlan was entered as a nominee from Head Basketball Coach Tyrone Shelley.  Here is what he said about Harlan...

Leadership Qualities

Harlan has displayed multiple types of leadership throughout his time here at Southwestern College. Harlan is the captain of the Southwestern Men's Basketball Team. He is both a leader for the freshman and sophomore players, creating a balance on the team. He leads by example, showing that hard work and practice can bring you far in life. As team captain, Harlan ensures that all of the players are on time to practice. Also, he is in charge of keeping the players under control during practice, making sure everyone is focused and ready to learn. Harlan is also a leader for his team off of the court. If another player is struggling with school in some way, whether it be class, homework, applying to colleges, or other paperwork, he is always the first one to clear up the confusion by helping his teammate. Again, with his 4.0 GPA, it is easy for Harlan to lead by example because he has endured the grind of being a student athlete, and his teammates have respect for his accomplishments.

Commitment to a goal or purpose

Harlan has shown commitment and dedication to a few of his goals that he first created when he arrived at Southwestern. When I first met Harlan last year, who arrived at Southwestern as a freshman, he explained to me that he wanted to obtain a 4.0 GPA throughout his student career, as well as play on the basketball team. After three semesters of being at Southwestern, Harlan has stuck to this goal. He has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout his three semesters at Southwestern. This allowed him to make the President's List, a high-achieving award only given out to students who have a 4.0 GPA for the previous semester. Harlan has also shown commitment to a goal that relates to his future. He is committed to achieving his goal of transferring to a four-year institution after he is done with Southwestern college. He has applied and been accepted into many different four-year universities. It even seems like he is going to transfer and continue to play collegiate basketball at this next four-year level. For Harlan, the sky's the limit when it comes to academics and athletics. He continues to create goals and reach them as they pertain to his future. With his academic and athletic offers to play and study at these four-year universities, it is his choice on where he finds the best opportunity for himself.