Faces of Lynwood Spotlight: Nicole Baza

When Nicole Baza walked into Hosler Middle School for summer registration, she expected to help for a few days. She didn’t expect the experience to challenge her, build her confidence, and show her what leadership could look like without a title.

As an ASB student, Baza stepped into a fast-paced environment where families needed directions, paperwork needed organizing, and unexpected questions came up. Rather than staying on the sidelines, she took initiative. She welcomed families, directed lines, and looked for ways to make the process easier for everyone.

“The pressure was a little intense, but I got used to it. Once I got a hold of what I was supposed to do, it became easier later on,” Baza said.

Over three days, Baza kept showing up, even when the pace became intense. She learned the process, adapted to challenges, and became more confident in her ability to help others. By the end of registration, she was the only ASB student to volunteer throughout all three days.

The experience reinforced something Baza had already began to understand: leadership means being willing to step forward when work needs doing.

Much of that mindset comes from watching her mother, a custom shoe seller who has spent more than a decade building her business. Baza has seen her mother work hard, connect with customers, and remain dedicated to her craft. When she can, Baza lends a hand, learning firsthand the importance of communication, responsibility, and building relationships.

Baza carries those lessons into other parts of the campus, where she helps create posters and flyers for Hosler's spirit days. Her creativity has become another way she contributes to her school community.

“My favorite poster was the Coraline one I collaborated with my team members on during Halloween last year,” Baza said. 

But Baza’s leadership is not limited to what she creates or the events she helps with. It is also reflected in the way she thinks about the person she wants to become.

Baza hopes to become a criminal psychologist, inspired by her interest in crime documentaries and podcasts. More importantly, she wants to use her voice to advocate for others. 

“The kind of person I want to become is someone who people can look up to and someone who is true to their word. I want to be able to fight for justice, stand up for people and speak for them when they can’t speak for themselves.”

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