Nick Burdette: a student who stands out in the crowd

By Andrea Lauffer
Hurricane High School

FlipSide photo courtesy of ANDREA LAUFFER/Hurricane Hurricane High student Nick Burdette is this year’s “Most Valuable Redskin.” The annual honor goes to a member of the senior class who demonstrates leadership, integrity and academic strength.

One of the most prestigious honors students can earn during their Hurricane High School careers is the Most Valuable Redskin award.

The criteria for this honor include leadership, integrity and academic strength. There seems to be no argument among the student body about this year’s winner, senior Nick Burdette.

“He really deserved it. He’s very hardworking,” senior Amy Lewis said.

When the Hurricane High faculty announced the candidates for Most Valuable Redskin, Burdette said he couldn’t believe he had been nominated. “I was kind of in shock,” he recalled.

Throughout his career at Hurricane High, Burdette has received numerous honors. He has been on the “A” honor roll for four years. He is a National Merit finalist, an All-American Scholar and a member of the Putnam County Math Field Day Team. In addition, he is president of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and is involved in National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta.

Despite all of his accomplishments, Burdette thought that his chances of winning were slim. When it was announced that he had won Most Valuable Redskin, he was in awe.

“It really took my breath away. To go from thinking that I had no chance and then to win was great. I was very thankful to all the people who were rooting for me.”

Students at Hurricane High are nothing but complimentary toward Burdette. “ He’s genuine and an all-around good guy,” senior Amy Arthur said.

“He’s a great guy to get along with,” senior Josh Husiar said.

Junior Ashley Mahood said, “He’s a good Christian guy and easy to depend on.”

Senior Anson Bowles said Burdette really deserved the award. “He is a hard worker and is very dedicated.”

Even the faculty at Hurricane High has great respect for Burdette. “He is one of the nicest young men I know,” teacher Francis Tolley said. “He is a very warm person and kind to kids and adults.”
“He is one of the most mature seniors I’ve ever met,” teacher Natalie Dillinger said.

Assistant Principal Roger Hart said that anyone who has ever met Burdette is honored. “He is an exceptional young man. Good things will happen to him as he pursues a career.”

When asked what he wants his classmates to remember about him, Burdette said, “I hope that when people think of me, they remember that there was something different about me, and that the difference was my relationship with God.

“Other than that, I hope they think that I was a nice guy.”