Nicholas “Nick” Delfino (12) recalls the pivotal final game of the Central Coast Section (CCS) baseball championship. The team entered the last inning down by nine runs but rallied to secure an impressive comeback, clinching Harker’s first baseball CCS title. Reflecting on the effort behind this monumental achievement, Nick cherishes the once-in-a-lifetime experience he shared with his teammates and father, the team’s head coach. 

Nick’s familial ties to baseball nurtured his affinity for the sport. He started playing at the age of 5 and has continued ever since, honing not only his technique but his overall skill as a player. Playing for his father and sharing a connection to the game has strengthened the close bond between the two. 

“I’ve grown up with baseball,” Nick said. “My dad never forced me to play, but he encouraged it. He was always watching it around the house, so I gravitated toward it naturally. I’ve been playing baseball since I was five or six years old. Big, big Giants fan. That’s a result of my dad.”

Along with baseball, Nick also took on the position of linebacker and center for the football team his freshman year. After three challenging years for the team, Nick’s hunger for victory only grew stronger. Now, as a senior on the team and one of the co-captains, Nick made it his goal to fuel the rest of the team with a desire to win as well, striving to create a cohesive and driven team.

“I play football because it releases a lot of my inner anger that school and life builds up — it’s great therapy,” Nick said. “We have to work together if we want to win, and from that, you learn a lot of life lessons. You make a lot of friends. It’s unlike any other.”

When Tyler Beede (12) joined the football team this year, he immediately noticed Nick’s encouraging attitude and team-oriented mentality on the field. 

“Nick is very passionate about everything that he does,” Tyler said. “It’ll get heated, and he’ll give me and the team encouragement. It’s because he cares about me, and he knows I can do better. He’s really caring in that way and pushes everyone to achieve their goals.”

Nick’s drive and motivation thrives, whether he’s on the football field or even on stage. After some persuasion from lower school dance instructor Gail Palmer in elementary school, Nick joined Dance Fusion in fourth grade and never looked back. As a natural performer, he cherishes the adrenaline rush that comes with being under the spotlight. 

“That nervousness when we’re all about to perform doesn’t happen as often as in a football game or baseball game,” Nick said. “You only perform once every few months [in dance], so seeing all the rehearsals that go into [a routine] and then finally getting to perform it in front of people is really worth it.” 

As with dance, Nick applies a similar dedication to sharpening his skills in mixed martial arts (MMA), an activity he has invested his heart and soul into. After earning his black belt, he shared his love for the sport by becoming a teaching assistant for younger children.

“I used to watch a lot of superhero cartoons,” Nick said. “I actually thought MMA was superhero training when I was younger. I just wanted to learn how to fight, and it’s been a major part of my life since. Now I want to share that experience.”

Nick’s dedication to his many pursuits is evident amongst his peers. As a long time friend of Nick, Zubin Khera (12) recalls how their friendship started from their time on the middle school dance team. Even though they no longer take part in the same activities, Zubin commended Nick’s commitment to his hobbies.

“He has a very strong work ethic beyond academics,” Zubin said. “I’ve seen the passion he puts into football and dance. There’s a light that goes off in his head. You can see the passion he brings to each of those activities because he really cares, and it’s very evident in the way he talks about them.”

One reason why Nick is able to thrive in so many settings is his natural sociability. Upper school history teacher Karen Haley fondly recalled the positive energy Nick carried with him anytime he entered her room. She picked up on his ability to connect with others when he was a ninth grader in her world history course and a prominent participant in her Recreate Reading group.

“[Nick] is able to interact and go from one group to the next group to the next group,” Haley said. “A lot of people can’t do that. He was just so welcoming to the underclassmen by being able to share his experiences and what he hopes to achieve in college.”

Nick’s empathetic outlook on life reflects the values instilled in him by his family. Among them, his mother stands out for the sacrifices she has made for their family through the years and serves as a source of inspiration for Nick to spread joy to those around him.

“[My mom] works with a lot of students that are at bigger disadvantages than most people are,” Nick said. “It’s really inspiring to see how much she helps them as well as how hard she works. She always finds a way to make time for family. She takes care of us as well as taking care of other people at her job.”

Inspired by his mother’s compassionate and giving nature, Nick aspires to emulate her kindness, helping both those he knows and those he doesn’t. He is committed to being someone others can rely on to offer a listening ear or shoulder to lean on. 

“I’ve had a lot of life experiences, good and bad, so I really try to help people as much as I can in situations where you need someone to talk to,” Nick said. “I want people to remember how much I tried to help people and be there for others.”