Nadig comfortable coming out of comfort zone

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Glenbrook North senior Brandon Nadig portrays Lord Capulet during rehearsal. | Curtis Lehmkuhl~Sun-Times Media

Updated: February 21, 2012 8:18AM

A New Year’s resolution typically requires breaking out of a comfort zone — but Northbrook’s Brandon Nadig, 17, a Glenbrook North High School senior, seeks to “branch out of my performing arts bubble.’”

“As I senior, I wanted to work to break that bubble,” admits Nadig, who is actively interviewing for an impressive roster of colleges before June graduation.

“I’m making an effort to talk to people that I never dreamed of talking to in a million years.”

Something as simple as “saying hi to someone different in the hallways or taking a second to ask someone about a recent sports event he or she was in can really make you happy,” says Nadig, who has two siblings, Tyler, a Wood Oaks Junior High School seventh grader and Heather, 20, a University of Illinois student.

“I guess I just love making new friends.”

Nadig is in several choirs, including the show choir, Express.

“The most phenomenal part has been coming into the leadership roles,” explained Nadig.

“I’ve begun to step up and lead the way in some of my activities. It’s exciting to lead younger kids, and see them grow and develop in the similar ways I did when I was just beginning a certain activity.”

Last fall, he played Lord Capulet in Romeo and Juliet, “a challenging role,” observed Nadig, whose parents are David, an Allstate deputy general counsel and Cynthia, a financial consultant.

Most recently, Nadig returned from London where he performed with the GBN Marching Band. The London New Year’s Day parade is a memory Nadig, a drumline member, will cherish.

“It was a great experience to get outside of Northbrook and someplace that felt like an entirely different world.

London felt so different, it looked different, people were polite, they were gracious, the hotel was gracious and they accommodated our crazy energy up on the eighth floor.”

Of the fall marching band season: “It’s been fantastic. The marching band had its best competition record in remembered history.

We finished the season undefeated and having won two outstanding percussion awards. It’s comforting to go out with a bang,” Nadig said.

High school has been a remarkable time for Nadig’s personal awareness. It’s this message of hope he wishes to share with Pioneer Press readers.

“I want to thank the GBN community for allowing me to be myself,” said Nadig.

“When I came out as a homosexual at the end of my sophomore year, my biggest fear was rejection. I had no idea how exponentially supportive students and faculty alike would be. I constantly remind myself how lucky I am to live in such a community in which I can fully be myself.“

Nadig recalls last autumn when the color purple offered special meaning.

“I specifically remember there was a day in which people were to wear purple to show support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered teens going through hard times,” said Nadig.

“I walked into school and was in awe all day at the overwhelming amount of purple. It was nice to have a clear visual representation of the support I as a gay teen am receiving.”

With his senior year coming to close — Nadig reflects before becoming a college freshman.

“I’ve really made an effort to support GBN in every aspect.

“Ive cheered my heart out at football games, canvassed for the canned food drive for hours, have taken a leadership role in the Presidents’ club (an organization of all GBN club presidents), and joined the Relay for Life planning committee. I want to more fully embody school spirit.”

Nadig believes volunteerism will carry forth into adulthood.

“The volunteerism I do is mostly through Tri-M National Honor Society for music,” said Naidg, the society president.

“We serve the community through music. We organize such as a musical petting zoo for children to try out all sorts of instruments and sometimes perform in the community.

This year, we hope to raise money to support schools struggling to maintain their arts programs.”

With a college resume to wow, Nadig proudly affirms: “I am in theater, marching band, pep band, Express, 4x4, stage crew and Gay Straight Alliance to name a few.”

How will it feel to say goodbye to GBN?

“It will be one of the hardest things I’ve ever done,” said Nadig.

“High school is such a developmental time. I realize that the past four years have really been spent defining myself as an individual.

“There were surprises around every corner. I’m going to miss the crazy chaos of extra-curriculars and the brilliant faculty. There’s never been a shy moment.”

Spoken like a man of his hour, Brandon Nadig has become a man of his time.