Rachel Carpenter-Hrdina's memory from Peter Nicastro

The first time I heard Peter Nicastro’s name was in 7th grade. As part of running for student council, each candidate had to give a speech in front of the entire school. It was intimidating. Seventh grade can be brutal, and this was the year all the elementary schools merged into one big junior high. Most of us only knew the kids from our own elementary school.

The candidates sat on the stage facing a gym packed with our peers. One by one they walked up to the microphone.

Then Peter stepped up.

He looked out at the crowd and said, “I bet you think I’m nervous. Well… you’re right. I am nervous.”

The whole gym erupted in laughter.

Right then and there, Peter had everyone’s vote. No one needed to hear another word.

After that speech, Peter became the mayor of Hazelwood Junior High. He walked back to class through a gauntlet of high-fives. Everyone admired his confidence—but more than that, we admired how real he was. Honest, funny, and completely relatable.

That moment stuck with me all these years. It captured exactly who Peter was.

He will be missed!