Pryor High School senior Marie Nicholas has been named the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace & Aeronautics’ October Aerospace Student of the Month. Chosen through a rigorous selection process, Nicholas has turned an interest that began in eighth grade into a passion for flying, learning, and helping others explore aviation.

We caught up with Nicholas in the hangar as she and her classmates were deburring parts for the RV-12 aircraft they are building at PHS. The hands-on work reflects her desire to understand aviation both inside and outside the cockpit.

Now a Federal Aviation Administration-certified private pilot, Nicholas sees an aviation career in her future. While maintaining a 3.8 GPA and pursuing concurrent college coursework, she has also completed the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) aviation curriculum.

Her commitment to learning extends to leadership. Nicholas has served as both junior and senior class president and is a three-year member of the National Honor Society. She also founded ACE Aviation Leadership to encourage fellow students to explore opportunities within aviation.

Beyond the hangar and classroom, Nicholas participates in varsity soccer, volleyball, and distance running. She also contributes to the fine arts through stagecraft, working as a sound engineer.

For Nicholas, success means more than earning her pilot certificate or receiving recognition. She wants to be remembered as a friend and someone who helps others discover opportunities. She enjoys teaching people and sharing what she has learned—a spirit that guides both her leadership and her aviation journey.

Pryor Public Schools congratulates Marie on this recognition. From her first aviation experiences in eighth grade to becoming a licensed pilot, she continues to reach new heights while helping others imagine where their own interests might take them.