Nicola Baily... The SuperStar*

Whilst some students inspire the masses with their wit, contribution to the community or sporting achievements, Nicola Bayly inspires with her savvy. Yes, Nicola is a “poppie”, one of those Prada treading, Vuitton carrying, Gucci decking “poppies”. How does such a seemingly unaware being inspire you may ask, well, the list is endless. Society often chooses to acknowledge only the conventional, conveniently successful human beings that are constantly praised for gracing us with their presence, see “Jock Awards”. Nicola Bayly was strategically placed on this campus to inspire the fashionably challenged, and why should she not receive recognition considering the distinguishable elements regarding an inspirational member of society. She is the Regina George of Rhodes, that in itself is inspirational. Proving “Legally Blonde” to be not just another teen movie, but a career encouraging documentary which is responsible for the epiphany experienced by Nicola, the epiphany which resulted in her choice of degree, law. Gracing us with her presence at the pool each day, or for those in the know, “The Hub”, Nicola is not only known by the uppercrust of students but also the unknowns. This is an awe inspiring move, not often experienced by the average numbers which make up our society. The thing about Nicky is that she is nice. A terrible adjective as regarded by the English department but the honest truth when it comes to Nicky. It has become a rarity as the decades have progressed to find someone who is generally nice. Often spotted tanning on the decks of various stream lined yachts on the outskirts of Port Alfred, this beacon of awe is never alone. Whether surrounded by farmers in the Eastern Cape, amazed by her cooking skills or built-in Woolworths Foods radar, or that one specific old, Afrikaans farmer donning a “Weigh-Less” shirt she confused for her boyfriend in Prestons that one time, Nicola is a magnet for good karma. Whenever you need a friend she is there, whenever you need a drink, she is there and whenever you need a partner in crime, Nicky is still there. Her unwavering loyalty to anyone who needs it is inspiring. Why does a cause or outcome have to be inspiring when an individual herself may be. This promises continuous inspirational moments as opposed to one great achievement. Individuals such as Nicky are often over-looked as everyone is regarded as partially pleasant or successful, Nicky unveils the hero within everyone whether it be in a materialistic, mental, physical or emotional way. We need to redefine our views of what inspirational is and who can achieve this status. The process starts now by assessing various individuals that are slightly unconventional in their methods but inspiring in their outcomes none the less.