By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Seventeen-year-old Nicole Beck, daughter of Chehalis Fire Department Capt. Casey Beck and Jan Beck, earlier this year was awarded a “wish” from the Make-a-Wish foundation, and instead of using it for herself, she’s sort of giving it away.
Nicole won a spot on the tennis team at W.F. West High School only to spend much of the season at Seattle Children’s’ Hospital undergoing chemotherapy for a cancer discovered in February.
She is using the money from the foundation to upgrade the tennis courts at school; with plans for new lighting, fences, nets, benches and resurfacing of all six courts, according to her supporters.
Sixty-thousand dollars has been raised so far for the $80,000 project, according to her dad.
A benefit will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday night – with music by local performer Chris Guenther – at the Riverside Golf Club. A $10 steak dinner is on the menu.
Work on the courts will begin with volunteer labor and is expected to be done in time for the coming school year, Casey Beck said today.
Nicole, who will be a senior next year, plans to attend the benefit, he said.
“We didn’t know if we were going to do it (the benefit) cause Nicole wasn’t feeling good last week,” he said this afternoon. “But she got better unexpectedly.”
Today, she was helping out with tennis camp at the high school, he said.
The prognosis for the growth – called Rhabdomyosarcoma – not coming back is really good, he said.
The golf course is at 1451 NW Airport Road, Chehalis
Casey Beck adds that anyone interested in helping him tear out the old courts should call him at 360-520-0816.
Donations for the cause can also be to Nikki’s Wish at Wells Fargo Bank.
Read more about her story at www.caringbridge.org/visit/nicolebeck
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
Warms our heart, Nikki, for such Bearcat support and love for tennis! I was a cheerleader…but boy, nothing compared to you! You have shown your community what a real cheerleader is! Even from a stong Centralia Tiger Alumn, I embrace the bearcats, great school, great tennis coach and you (and great parents) — what a beautiful heartful of love you have for our community and Bearcat students, current and future!!! Thank you!
Great job Nicole!! Your thoughtfulness will benefit many students long after you have graduated. A prayer sent your way that your health will continue to improve and that your personal goals are all exceeded.
Now THIS is a story that shows that there are, indeed, decent people in the world, people who are putting the benefits of others before the benefits to themselves.
Good on you, Nicole, and I hope that your kindness will inspire others to do likewise!