By Taylor Shillam | Photo by Christine Woeller Photography
Nathaniel Bullock, Senior Coeur d’Alene High School
At 17 years old, Nate Bullock has spent three years as class president at Coeur d'Alene High School. Now, a senior and student council president, Nate is a student of many talents, including two-time varsity track athlete and photographer since seventh grade.
Among his talents as a creative student, leader and athlete, Nate has honed the practice of compromise.
“One of the biggest challenges I’ve had in high school is realizing that you can’t please everyone,” he said. “Over the years, I’ve had a rough time saying no or trying to appeal to everyone. But that’s how I learned the skill of compromise.”
Student council proved to be an ideal setting for practicing that skill. “In student council, when there are two very good views being shared, compromise means finding a medium that both sides are okay with conveying,” he explained.
Student council is also what Nate enjoys most about school.
“Student council allows me to grow as a leader and get a taste of what it’s like to run and plan an organization,” he said. “It’s something I’m constantly looking forward to. I’m full of ideas to make CHS fun for all of the students who attend. I also look forward to aiding for my teacher, Mr. Graham, who I’ve had as a teacher in the past and aided for in previous years.”
Nate has applied to several colleges and is waiting to make a decision. He hopes to study aviation, filmography, or political science.
“I’m interested in aviation because, as long as I can remember, I’ve had a fascination for planes,” he said. “Especially when I was younger, I really had a dream to become a commercial pilot. It wasn’t until recently when one of my friends got his pilot’s license that I really wanted to get into the flying industry again.”
Nate’s filmography interests are founded in a desire to be able to write, direct, score and film his own movies.
“Directors and writers like Jordan Peele, and production companies like A24 and Monkey Paw Production, make movies that move audiences with compelling storylines,” he said. “I strive to do the same.”
Nate’s involvement in student council piqued his interest in political science as another possible career path. “I’m not sure where this may lead me, but I’m curious enough to consider pursuing this,” he said.
Wherever Nate goes next, creativity will follow.
“A life lesson I’ve learned is from the person I’m job-shadowing for my senior project, Nabil Shehadeh,” Nate said. “Nabil is a photographer who has filmed a wide variety of NFL teams and films for the Seattle Seahawks every game. A piece of advice he gave me was to just keep creating.”
Nate's photography portfolio can be found at NateBullock.net.