By Aiden Walsh ‘26
On Aug. 29, Brother Rice held the first all-school mass of the year where alumni director Mr. Kelly announced the Junior of the Year award winner.
At the end of junior year, five Crusaders are selected as the finalists for the award. At this mass, the five finalists are presented for the whole school to recognize. The finalists included Colin Nye, Charlie Wizgird, Roman Manjarrez, Charlie Barkmeier, and Nolan Leonard.
Nolan Leonard was named the Junior of the Year award winner.
Nolan said, “This award means everything; I mean, Coach Kelly said it perfectly. It is the most prestigious award a Crusader can receive, so to me it means that all the late nights, hard work, and up-and-down successes are all worth it. It puts my name right up there with some of the most successful alumni to attend this school. To say I am grateful is an understatement; as much as I have done for BR, words can’t describe what it has done for me.“
Nolan has achieved a High or Superior honor roll in every semester at Brother Rice. He is also in several AP classes, ranks in the top 20 of a senior class of 150+, and has earned the Haerther Scholarship, which gives him the opportunity to participate in field trips and service projects.
As for leadership, Nolan is the Student Counsel Vice President, Edmund Rice Camp Prayer Leader, Advocacy Club Leader, he will lead a Kairos retreat this year, and he’s a peer mediator.
Nolan is a part of BRTV where he is an executive board member, he is a part of Crusaders for Inclusion, and he volunteered at the Edmund Rice Camp. He is a part of Politics Club, Microlending Club, Investment Club, Advocacy Club, and Spanish Club.
As for athletics, Leonard is a part of the golf team, lacrosse team, and he played basketball and baseball during his freshman and sophomore years.
Alongside the Junior of the Year award, Nolan has won the Green 13 Lead ‘Em Up award which recognizes Nolan as a Top 50 student-athlete leader in the nation; the Brother Jay Toole award which recognizes his excellent service towards others; and the John Hosty Crusader award, which was given to him by the Brother Rice Dads Club in recognition of his community service.
Nolan has also volunteered at PALS camp which is a summer camp that provides great one-on-one experiences for children and adults with Down Syndrome. He has also participated in Illinois Special Olympics, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, and he volunteers at Queen of Martyrs and St. Catherine. Outside of these amazing things, Nolan also works at Ridge Country Club where he has caddied for over four years.
Nolan Leonard truly shows what it means to be a Crusader, and he displays the true values and work ethic required to receive the Junior of the Year award at Brother Rice High School.
