Nikolette “Niki” Nolte was about to enter the final stretch of her junior year at Kutztown Area High School, when she received the news no one ever wants to hear. Niki was diagnosed in April 2017 with Primary Mediastinal Large B Cell Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Like anybody hearing those dreaded words, Niki and her family were in shock. But, as the optimistic, upbeat person she has always been, Niki was ready to fight this disease.
“I had a total of six rounds of treatment over 18 weeks. I received a PET-CT scan 3 weeks after my last round of treatment, and a small area still lit up on the scans. My doctors felt it was best to confirm if the area was dead or not by doing a biopsy,” said Niki.
After a long summer, Niki and her family received the news they have been waiting to hear.
“I got the call on Aug. 24 that the biopsy came back negative and I was officially cancer free and in remission. It’s one of the best feelings knowing I have finally reached the light at the end of the tunnel.”
Of course, this long, difficult process was a struggle for not only Niki, but for her entire family.
Her mother Melissa Nolte said, “Niki faced this challenge head on. There were many days that Niki didn’t feel her best. She was frustrated and asked ‘why me?’ but she never let that hold her spirit down and her smile. She handled the situation with grace and strength. We couldn’t be prouder of her. Her strength wore off on the rest of the family to help us get through this difficult time.”
On Monday, Sep. 11, Niki put down the swim goggles and picked up a soccer ball when the Kutztown High girls soccer team faced Oley Valley for their cancer awareness game. All spectators were encouraged to wear lime green in support of anyone fighting Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and in honor of Niki.
At the beginning of the game, Niki lined up on the field with the rest of the seniors and starters, and had the opportunity to score the first goal of the game for Kutztown. Oley Valley then tied it up by scoring a goal of their own. The final score was 4-3 Oley Valley, who won in overtime.
“The game was absolutely amazing!” said Niki. “It was great being surrounded by so much support. The coaches and players from both teams made the experience memorable. I am incredibly thankful for Coach Stemko, Coach Diehl, and the girls on the team for allowing me to be a part of the game as well as some of their practices.”
Niki’s biggest supporter, her mother Melissa, was also very thankful and overjoyed by this experience.
“(The game) was truly an amazing and memorable day for us. We cannot thank Coach Dan Stemko enough for allowing Niki to be part of the team. We would also like to thank the Oley Valley Girls’ Soccer Team and coaches for allowing this to occur. The event was so much more than Niki scoring a goal; it was about two opponents coming together for a common cause…. to beat childhood cancer.”
Niki, now entering her senior year at KAHS, is eager to get back in the pool, a place she considers her “second home.” In 2015, as only a freshman, Niki placed 1st in the breaststroke at the PIAA District 3 Girls AA Championships and was selected to the All-State team in that event. One year later, she repeated her championship and once again placed 1st in the breaststroke at the PIAA District 3 Girls AA Championships. She was then named a NISCA Girls High School Swimming All-American in the 100-yard breaststroke. Although she couldn’t defend her title this past year due to her medical diagnosis, she has set the bar high for her senior swim season.
“I am hoping to come back and win my title at the District 3 PIAA Swimming Championship Meet in the 100 Breast,” said Niki.
She also plans to continue the sport she loves after her last high school meet.
“Next year, I am planning on continuing my academic and athletic career at college. I will be going into something within the medical field and also swimming for the college I attend.”
Where Niki will end up after high school is still uncertain. One thing is for sure, though, wherever she goes, her favorite quote will go with her, “You never know how strong you are until your only option is to be strong.”
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