Emma Flemming
Reporter
Paxton-Buckley-Loda High School graduate Cassidi Nuckols is a first year student and is already heavily involved in activities on Parkland’s campus. Currently, Nuckols is an undecided major but is considering an educational major. “If I had to choose right now,” Nuckols says “my major would be physical education.” She explains that sports have played an integral part in her life, hence why physical education seems like the perfect fit for her. But it is not just sports, physical activities, and competition that make physical education so appealing to her. Athletics have provided Nuckols with various opportunities to volunteer, whether through sports, games, or after-school practices. “Working with kids about sports and physical movement always excited me,” Nuckols said. “Helping these kids at all of these events for many years have made me realize that I want to go into physical education. I want to continue teaching kids everything I know and help them with anything they need.” Nuckols plans to obtain her associate’s degree at Parkland and then transfer to a four year university to get her bachelor’s degree in physical education.
Nuckols chose Parkland College to begin her academic career for many different reasons. One reason for her attendance is that she is from a small town just 30 miles north of Parkland. Because the campus is convenient, she is still able to see her friends and family from her hometown. Nuckols also states that when she visited Parkland for the first time, everyone on campus was friendly. “Everyone was so nice and welcoming, the campus was nicely taken care of, and it always had a positive vibe everywhere,” Nuckols claims.
One of Nuckols’ goals for her college experience was to develop as an individual. Part of making that goal a reality was Parkland’s student housing facility, Parkland Point. “Right now I am living at Parkland Point and am loving it,” Nuckols mentions “I saw the opportunity to live in Champaign to be more involved with everything that goes on here at Parkland. It’s an amazing college experience.” Nuckols really enjoys Parkland and is glad she made the decision to live on campus.
Nuckols is also a part of Parkland’s Women’s Basketball team. Basketball practices are in full swing for the first-year student. Every Tuesday and Thursday Nuckols attends team lifts and attends practices in the afternoon. “For the whole month of August we were assigned to run six miles every week and to get 500 shots up every week,” Nuckols says. The team also has to obtain four hours of study hall time and turn those hours in to their coach.
Nuckols explains that the basketball team is probably one of her favorite things about attending Parkland. “Basketball is great! The girls are not only crazy talented but they are such amazing people,” she says. Nuckols describes her teammates as caring and always ready and willing to help her out. Not only have her teammates been helping her out, so have her coaches. “The coaches are amazing as well,” she says. “They help all of us with great feedback to improve our skills.” Nuckols describes college basketball as being different from high school basketball. The game is faster and the girls are stronger. But, Nuckols is thankful for her teammates as they push her to work harder and improve her basketball skills everyday. She is hopeful everything that transpires in the upcoming season will help learn, grow, and better herself as a teammate and person.
Nuckols thinks all Parkland students should take advantage of one thing while here. “I think that all Parkland students should get involved in the study lab,” she says. “It is a great place to do homework, meet up with classmates or to meet new people.” The Center for Academic Success is located in room 120 of Parkland’s D-Wing. This is where Nuckols goes to study and do all of her homework. She also appreciates having teachers in the study lab who are there to answer questions and help with any homework needs. “It is such a great thing to have,” Nuckols states.
Overall Nuckols thoroughly enjoys Parkland College. Parkland has already presented the student athlete with so many diverse opportunities. From meeting new friends and engaging in athletics to growing as an individual and obtaining a quality education, Parkland has been the right choice for her.