Nic McAtee Embarks on Exciting Journey at NAU

Nic McAtee, a standout alumnus from local high school, is poised to embark on an exciting journey as he heads to Northern Arizona University this fall.

Graduation brings mixed emotions for McAtee. “It’s exciting and sad at the same time to be graduating,” he remarked. “I’m starting a new chapter of my life and living on my own, but I’ll miss my friends.” He noted the impending realities of adulthood, from taxes to the challenges of self-sufficiency.

He plans to pursue a degree in psychology with aspirations of attending medical school to become an osteopath. “My goal is to graduate debt-free,” McAtee shared. “Receiving the Lumberjack Scholarship at NAU is a significant step toward that goal.”

McAtee takes pride in his academic achievements, consistently earning high marks while balancing both schoolwork and athletics. “At first, I wasn’t focused on school, but a senior mentor shifted my perspective,” he explained. “He taught me to appreciate both the small and big accomplishments.”

His dedication is evident through his rigorous training as a certified nursing assistant and in phlebotomy, requiring early mornings alongside a full day of high school commitments. Additionally, he has engaged in extracurricular activities including the Student Council, National Honor Society, and Interact Club, all while pursuing hobbies like skiing and mountain biking.

“I want to go into osteopathic medicine,” McAtee conveyed, citing his interest in understanding the body and providing holistic care. He aims to combine his medical training with a focus on natural health solutions.

His faith plays a significant role in his journey. McAtee noted the importance of aligning medical practices with his Christian beliefs. “Being a DO doctor allows me to help patients in ways that respect their faith,” he said. “My belief motivates me to persevere through the challenges of school.”

A goal outside of academics includes climbing the highest peaks on each continent, inspired by stories of young adventurers. “I’ve always chased mountains,” McAtee stated, having already hiked numerous 14,000-foot summits in Colorado.

As he reflects on his high school experience, certain teachers and mentors stand out. “I’ll miss teachers like Jim Vogler and Peter Brock,” he said, but added he won’t miss the struggles of the Scorpion sports teams. “It’s disappointing that we don’t have effective feeder programs.”

McAtee praised Head Coach Jim Filbin’s leadership despite a challenging season for the baseball team. “I advised my teammates to focus on self-improvement rather than score,” he stated. “That mindset helped elevate our play.” He earned the team’s Most Valuable Player award and received a scholarship during the recent SRRHS awards ceremony.

“These years are golden yet bittersweet,” McAtee reflected. “While they’re filled with fun and personal growth, you also watch friends change and move on. It’s a reminder of how swiftly time passes as I embrace this next chapter.”