"I Act With Respect"

Brady Nichols

"Compliments can turn someone’s day around, and create a ripple effect"

My name is Brady Nichols and I am a junior at Salem High School. I am on the Salem Varsity Boys’ Basketball Team. I was recently given the privilege of being inducted into Salem’s National Honor Society. When I am not working on my academics, you can find me on the court getting shots up or bettering my community through volunteering. I love working with kids and hope to make a career, in it, after high school.

How did you meet Coach Rich Johns?
I met Coach Johns in 2017 when he shared his message with the Salem JV and Varsity basketball teams. I immediately felt a connection with Coach Johns and messaged him that night on how his message impacted me. Since connecting with Coach, I have been striving to spread the AWRA message throughout my community and beyond.

How did you hear about Act With Respect Always?
I first heard about Act With Respect Always when I saw the signs and posters around my school. They read, “We are an Act With Respect Always Community”. I immediately wanted to know more about this saying so I did some research and found Coach Johns’ social media page where I followed him and was immediately followed back. That is what drove me to help spread this wonderful message.

How has the Act With Respect Alway mission affected you personally?
The Act With Respect Always message has helped me see past the 1% in people and really focus on their 99% which has brought me some great relationships with some amazing people. I can’t thank Coach Johns enough for teaching me this valuable life lesson not to judge people by their 1%, but instead their 99%, because that is what really matters. I also value the book, “Energy Bus” that Coach Johns presented to my community. The idea of the Energy Bus is to keep your thoughts positive and it creates a positive atmosphere for you and your peers to be around and to eliminate the negative energy, that can sometimes get on your bus of life.

Please share with us how you have, or will in the future “Pay it Forward”
I try to give at least 5 compliments to my peers, around me, in school every morning. I believe it can turn someone’s day around, and create a ripple effect. A simple high five goes a long way. Every Saturday, during the course of the winter, I volunteer at Salem Youth Basketball and every Saturday I wear my shirt that Coach Johns mailed me. It’s very important to me that the kids in Youth Basketball don’t only learn skills in basketball but also skills in life. I emphasize this with my 5th and 6th grade boys’ team as they are young men who I encourage to help spread the message. I plan to wear my AWRA bracelet Coach Johns gave me in 2017 for the rest of my life, so I can keep spreading this amazing message.

How would you describe the Act With Respect Always mission to others?
As I wear my 99 shirt and bracelet around my community and beyond, someone always asks me, “What does the 99 on your shirt mean?” I always take the time to explain the message and how you should always ask yourself, ”What’s my 99?” If you give yourself a low grade, think to yourself, “How can I improve my 99?” I am a huge believer in respect and I believe that respect goes a long way. Coach Johns’ message of AWRA is a perfect example of this. I am honored to be able to help spread this message.

Would you recommend Rich to speak about Respect to others?
I definitely agree that Coach Johns should present this message to everyone that will listen. Coach Johns’ presentation affected my life greatly in a very positive way, as it has others. Coach exemplifies very valuable life skills in his message and everyone can definitely take something away from his presentation. I am so thankful that I got the opportunity to meet him. Others will feel the same.