Nick Wiese - Summer 2007

Hi, my name is Nick Wiese, aka “Pickle” to my family. I am 19 years old and I recently completed my senior year at North Allegheny Senior High School in Wexford PA. I walked with the class of 2007 at graduation, but I am going back for another year because of some school issues.

Next year, I plan to concentrate on TV productions. We have a great studio at our high school that was just renovated this past summer. I enjoy broadcasting the morning announcements that we air live to the entire school and community. I hope that I have a chance to do a lot more with the production studio in the upcoming year.

This past year was exciting. I got to do many “senior” things, including going to the senior prom At left: Nick Wiese doing one of his favorite activities – tubing! At right: Nick Wiese and banquet. The banquet was held on the Gateway Clipper, and the prom was at the fancy William Penn Hotel.

But the best part of the year was taking my first trip without my family. I went to New York City with my TV class. I got to see the Blue Man Group, and the NBC studio sets of the evening news and “Saturday Night Live.” We saw the “Lion King” musical and a PG13 show that resembled “Sesame Street.” We also saw the site of the World Trade Center and the Museum of TV and Radio. It was a fabulous trip, and I can’t wait to go back next year.

Although I had a lot of fun this year, I also underwent surgery. I recently completed phase one of four craniofacial surgeries. It was a very long and difficult process.

I was only supposed to be in the hospital for a week, but ended up in the hospital for almost three weeks. Because of complications, I was kept asleep and paralyzed for a whole week! However, the operation was a success. I was fitted with a halo device that helped to move my bones and pull my face forward. This happened very rapidly.

This device was removed in mid June, just in time for summer and the CCA retreat. It was a lot of fun sharing it with my Aunt Ginny who has a great sense of adventure. I particularly enjoyed being out in Salt Lake City for the first time. I really liked the size of Lagoon Park. I made some new friends, but I want to say hello to all of my friends from last year at Hershey. I hope to see you in Myrtle Beach next year.

And thanks to CCA for giving me a chance to say hello and tell you about myself.

If you would like to share your story with CCA, please send an email to Annie Reeves at areeves@ccakids.com. If your story is chosen, with your permission, we will edit and publish it in the CCA newsletter, on the Web site or use it for public awareness programs. Not all stories will be selected.

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