Students in Morgan have known Josh Nobitz as a spirited member of Morgan and a leader in the school’s Dog Pound. For Nobitz, spirit is a family affair.
“Everyone in my family is loud, especially my grandpa.” Nobitz joked.
But what people might not know is that Nobitz is also involved in activities pertaining to the community, outside of Morgan. Activities that don’t exactly match the drum beating and crowd leading chants – he is in the Police Youth Group and has been all throughout high school.
Nobitz joined in order to see things from other perspectives, be around people he might not know too well, and to try and benefit his community. “I really liked what the club was about… it helped me give back to my community.” said Nobitz.
During the year, you will find the group helping out the food pantry in Clinton, or running food drives at Big Y. The Police Youth Group, made up of high school students of any grade also takes trips together to places to help them bond, like going to Foxwoods and David Busters.
Over the summers, Nobitz also works at the Madison Summer Camp. Ever since he was five, he has been going to the camp. He recently took a leadership position at the camp by becoming a director. Being a director and having responsibility for the kids have taught him how to properly handle situations that many people Nobitz’s age would not know how to do. During the camp last year, there was an activity for kids to play with water balloons. One kid in particular was afraid of getting hit by them. Nobitz led by example and let the kids throw the balloons at him to show that there wasn’t anything to be worried about.
“I’ve learned how to handle kids when they are having panic attacks, or when they are acting up. Sometimes it’s easy to get upset when kids won’t follow directions, but I’ve learned how to correct that behavior in a respectful, and kind manner.” said Nobitz.
Nobitz believes that having these skills has helped in his own personal life. He has twin nephews who are about 18 months old. Nobitz said, “even though my nephews are younger than the kids at the camp, it has still helped me with them if they are acting up.”
His nephews are an important part of his life. He sees them every week and tries to spend as much quality time with them as possible. “They have really changed my world,” Nobitz added.
One of his nephews was born with a condition where he would have a hard time walking, and at this point in time he can not. Nobitz said, “he makes me more grateful for the things that I have.” Nobitz and his family obviously hope that he will be able to walk when he gets older.
Nobitz says that his family are his biggest supporters, and that they are all very close. For Nobitz, family comes first. Every Sunday, his grandparents will come over for a family dinner, and they all will keep in close contact as the week goes by. One of Josh’s favorite things to do with his family, specifically with his mom, is to watch shows. Even when he is with friends, he will go home in order to spend more time with her. This was never more true than one night recently when he was planning on going out to eat with his friends, his mom called him, asking if he would like to watch Severance, the show they have been seeing together. Without a second thought, Josh turned around and went home. His mom texts him every day when he gets out of school to ask him about his day and check on his college search. “They are all very important to me, I don’t know what I would do without them,” Nobitz said.
While family is important to most, Nobitz has a special connection with all of his, and they have helped him be who he is. “They shaped me to be who I am today.” Nobitz concluded.
