Nothing stops this Palo Verde powerhouse

It has been nearly five years since Alex Nowak, now 18 and a senior at Palo Verde High Magnet School, was hit by a car, an injury that would leave him quadriplegic and change his life forever.

“You know how they say most accidents occur within one mile from your house? This one occurred within three houses,” joked Nowak, who can still make light of the circumstances.

Since Nowak’s accident, he has become a true adventurist — he’s been camping, paint-balling and target-shooting, and for his 18th birthday he went sky diving with his father.

“There are always lots of people around our house. He has lots of friends; he volunteers around town and acts with his high school. Our trouble is trying to keep up with him,” says his dad, Paul Nowak.

After August 1995, it took more than two months for Nowak to receive a one-to-one aide to help him with jotting down assignments and taking notes, since he has limited use of his extremities. Justin Viri filled the position at that time. Viri said, “In the time that I’ve known Alex, I’ve seen him become very mature mentally. When I first met him, he wasn’t sure if he wanted to finish high school or not, but now he is very committed to graduating and moving forward.”

Nowak is a computer aficionado and a man about town. “I enjoy building computers and Web sites for profit and fun, graphics design, programming and going to (night) clubs like DV8,” he said.

“A brush with one’s mortality will certainly put things in perspective. I’ve learned that life’s too short for complaining and worry, so just have fun with it.”

About a year after his accident, Nowak traveled around with a group from his rehabilitation center to several Tucson-area schools, including Catalina Foothills High School, with a group called Think First. The group talked with kids about how to prevent spinal cord injuries.

David McFadden, one of Nowak’s longtime friends, says, “I’ve been friends with Alex since before the accident even happened. He’s a really great guy. He’s outgoing and hasn’t really changed. Since the accident, we’ve become a lot closer. I admire the way that he jumps into things.”

Elizabeth Hunt-Lucarini, Nowak’s drama teacher and director at Palo Verde High School, said: “In the seven years that I have been teaching high school drama, no one student has ever affected me quite the way Alex has. His strength, determination and dry sense of humor make him a joy to teach and be around.

“As part of an advanced drama troupe, Alex has always been one of the leaders. His confidence and natural charm enable him to build group trust and cohesiveness.

“For most students, a first meeting with Alex almost always results in a long-term friendship. If I had to point out the one thing about Alex that inspires me the most, it would be his incredible joie de vivre (joy for life). If ever there was someone who knows how to enjoy life, that person is Alex. He inspires me and teaches me every single day.

“I have no doubt that after high school, every opportunity Alex encounters will be met with gusto, joy and bulldog determination.”

Michael Miklofsky is a senior at Catalina Foothills High School.