“My nationality…it’s complicated,” Nico van Houten expresses in a serious manner, his subtle European accent adding to the sincerity in his voice. “But for today, I’m German.” A grin covers his skinny face encircled by the fur of his army green down jacket; his playful response replacing the atmosphere imposed by the question with a lighthearted spirit.

Blond hair green eyes, tall and fit, with a well-built upper body, Nico’s physique may indeed embody the model European look. Using this to his advantage, his jokes about his origins often succeed in masking his Dutch and French heritage. Though a simple example, this nationality game of his represents a peculiar quality of himself. Thoughtful and cheerful, serious and entertaining, this is Nico van Houten.

One humid summer night, after a full day of volunteer work mixing cement in a rural Thai village, Nico, untouched by the hours of physical stress, delightedly pulls out his treasured Android phone to take pictures of the clear night sky. Due to our continuous debate over Apple vs. Android, there is an obvious spark of competition in him as he confidently focuses his camera on the tiny white stars, eager to prove his motto: “Android is superior.” Crafting each shot with complicated Photoshop functions and processing systems, he showcases his tech-savviness while aiming for the perfect picture. Snap, snap, snap.

A half an hour or so later, a smile slowly crosses Nico’s face, signaling that his persistence has paid off. Excitement gleams in his eyes like the stars in the pitch black sky as he turns to display his masterpiece—a result of commitment, technological expertise, and jovial competitiveness. Satisfied, he remarks, “Only an Android is capable of taking such a photo.” I can hear the enthusiasm in his voice to this day.

Despite his love for Android, Nico’s interest in technology extends far beyond Google. Whether coding up his own app or diving into the endless mysteries of outer space, his passion for modern innovation is extraordinary. When his phone battery gave into its inevitable decay from age, Nico, rather than getting a store replacement, decided to take matters into his own hands. “For some reason, I was more thrilled than upset,” he reflects. “The sense of challenge it generated inspired me to fix the phone on my own.” Gathering individual gadgets online and assembling them to create a functional battery, failure was not an option for Nico: “It wasn’t easy, but I managed to figure things out. It’s one of those small things that I am proud of.”

Founder of the school’s DECA Business club and voted “most likely to become your boss,” Nico also has a very clear plan for his future. “My choices for my future are all based on my dad’s words: ‘pick something where you could go anywhere in this world,’” he states. “That’s why I want to pursue computer science and finance. These majors open so many doors, especially in the world we live in today.”

Evidently, Nico believes in the importance of creating opportunity. “I haven’t decided on anything specifically, but I definitely believe in the power of having options for a more dynamic future.” His optimistic outlook only promises great success as his life unfolds.

Through all his career-oriented activities and intellectual endeavors, Nico still finds the time to let his humor out. From corny jokes told in the library to deliberately awkward handshakes in the hallways, the iconic grin that forms on his face lightens up his friends daily. Always willing to play frisbee or to buy rye crackers at the kiosk, his presence brings energy and action. When asked about his eagerness, he promptly replies, “Why not?” While Nico greatly values academics, he is always ready to bring some spirit to maximize his high school experience.

With his thoughts filled with circuits and sports, business plans and clever comebacks, Nico truly savors every moment. A collection of ideas and an assortment of abilities, he really can — in alignment with his dad’s words — go anywhere in this world.