Nick Stachura '10

Hometown: Buffalo, NY

Major: Outdoor Leadership

Why did you choose NEC?

I chose NEC because I loved the small town atmosphere and how rural it is. At the same time I also liked how that it wasn't out in the middle of nowhere like some of the other schools I looked at. There are plenty of things to keep me busy, especially with Concord, Manchester, and Boston within driving distance. Another major factor to coming to NEC is that we got a free lift pass to Pats Peak. I'm not going to lie; I think that is one of my favorite things. Going through a full day of classes and then to take a relaxing ride down the peak is purely awesome!!!

Why did you choose the Outdoor Leadership program at NEC?

I chose this program and school because of the curriculum for this major. I didn't want it to just be all lecture based classes or just all outdoor activities. One major thing was that I have always learned the best by doing hands on and a lot of my classes require that!

What are your extracurricular interests?

 I have come to love the Adventure Bound club or as we call it an organization. We treat this "club" as another means of learning how outdoor organizations are run, and what work goes into making it successful!

What do you like best about NEC?

I really do like that the teachers aren't just impersonal professors that know you by a number and not a name. Having the teachers actually care about what you are learning is one of my favorite things! The student to teacher ratio is the thing that makes this all possible. I also love that most of my professors encourage us to call them by their first name, not just Professor whom ever.

What do you do for fun on the weekends?

Well depending on the season, I go hiking, relax with friends, partake in a party, snowboard at pats or some of the other areas, or just relax in my room.

What is your favorite class and why?

That's a tough question because I enjoy basically all of them! But if I had to pick one, it would be the High Ropes Class! I love learning about the different things that can be taught to people from using the course.

What has been your favorite memory at NEC?

I think one of my favorite memories of my time at NEC would have to be running programs on the high or low ropes courses. I find it fun to see other students work together and even learn new things about themselves while climbing around on our course.

How was your transition from high school to NEC?

I didn't come straight from high school to NEC. I went from high school to a local community college to NEC. I found that the transition wasn't bad at all, yes there were hard times but I relied on my friends and family to help me get through it.

What do you like most about Henniker?

I love the fact that it is all mom and pop stores. I also like the locals they are all very kind and helpful!

What are your plans after graduation?

This has been on my mind all year, it is tough to figure out where exactly I will be, but if I have the opportunity I will stay in the surrounding area of Henniker. Hopefully, I will land a job at either a park, an outdoorsy store, or a ski resort. Or I may even venture up to the White Mountains area if a job presents itself for me to work for the AMC.