There are some people who light up a room the moment they walk in. People who have an energy that pulls others in, makes them feel welcome, and creates a sense of belonging.

Even as a kid, Nolan had a way of charming a crowd, making connections, and making sure no one felt left out. A captain of Byron’s football team, Nolan has spent his high school years leading by example, on and off the field. His teammates relied on him not just for his skill as a left tackle, but for the way he brought people together, ensuring that every player—from starters to scout team members—felt valued.

“I remember being a freshman on varsity, running scout team, getting beat up every day,” Nolan said. “Then, when I became a starter, I realized how important those guys were. I made sure they knew their work mattered.”

That same philosophy has shaped everything Nolan has done in Byron, from sports to community initiatives to everyday interactions.

One of Nolan’s biggest projects has been the creation of TIE: Totally Include Everyone, a program aimed at teaching younger students about inclusion and empathy.

The idea started at a community meeting at Byron High School, where Nolan participated in discussions on how to improve the school and town culture. When the group talked about bullying and isolation, something clicked for him—the best way to fight bullying isn’t just punishment, it’s making sure no one feels left out in the first place.

“I started thinking about how inclusion is the real antidote to bullying,” he said. “If you make sure people feel seen, welcomed, and part of something, a lot of those problems disappear before they even start.”

With the help of Mr. Franchi and Mrs. Mumma, Nolan developed a structured program for younger students, bringing lessons on inclusion and kindness into elementary classrooms.

One activity involves giving kindergarteners and first graders mismatched crayons—forcing them to go around the room, talk to their classmates, and ask for the right colors to finish their work.

“It’s a small thing, but it gets them talking to each other, helping each other, learning that asking for help is okay and that including others is natural,” Nolan explained.

At the end of the program, students participate in a shoelace-tying ceremony, where they literally tie different-colored laces together, symbolizing the connections they’ve made and the commitment to totally including everyone.

Football, in fact, played a big role in inspiring the name TIE—Byron players tie together different colored shoelaces after every victory, representing their unity and shared success.

While TIE is just getting started, Nolan’s hope is that the program will continue even after he graduates, passed down to younger students who will carry the message forward.

“We wanted a mix of people,” he said. “Not just athletes, but students from FFA, drama, speech—everyone.”

It’s that ability to connect with all types of people that has made Nolan such a natural leader, whether in football, community service, or everyday life.

Following in the footsteps of his father, brother, and grandfather, he will study criminal justice at UW-Oshkosh, with plans to become a police officer.

His grandfather was the chief of police in Rochelle, his father recently retired as the assistant deputy chief of Rockford, and his brother is currently serving in Rochelle’s police department.

“It’s kind of a family thing,” Nolan said. “But more than that, it’s about humbly serving others—that’s something my dad always told me, and it’s stuck with me.”

Nolan sees law enforcement as another way to make a difference, to ensure that people feel safe, valued, and heard—a philosophy that ties directly into the lessons of inclusion he’s been teaching in schools.

“My dad always told me, ‘Humbly serve others,’” he said. “That’s what I plan to do, no matter where life takes me.”

Nolan knows Byron has shaped him into the person he is today. From the teachers who challenged him academically to the coaches who instilled discipline and teamwork, he has learned lessons that will stay with him long after he leaves the halls of Byron High School.

“In Byron, everyone is behind you, no matter what you do,” he said. “It’s a special place.”

And no matter where Nolan’s path leads him next, one thing is certain:

Nolan Brass will always know how to bring people together.