Highlander of the Issue: Arman Nikmorad

HIGHLANDER OF THE ISSUE WHO YOU GONNA CALL? ARMAN!

McLean senior takes on multiple jobs across FCPS

On any given day in McLean’s hallways, you are likely to hear the booming voice of senior Arman Nikmorad. No matter if you’re a student, teacher, administrator or substitute, you know who he is. With his FCPS uniform and badge on display, it’s hard not to wonder what exactly he does for the county.

“I do studio support for the Department of IT (Information Technology) at FCPS, so basically I just go around to each school that has a news studio and fix their studio,” Nikmorad said.

On top of this position, Nikmorad helps create posters for the county and serves as a student advocate to McLean’s principal, Ellen Reilly.

“He says, ‘This is how kids are feeling right now. People are telling me this.’ I think that’s always helpful,” Reilly said.

This position stemmed from Nikmorad’s dedication to improving McLean.

“I value bringing the community together and making sure every student voice is heard,” Nikmorad said.

His extensive resume began taking shape in his sophomore year while he was taking Broadcast Journalism 2, when he asked the technicians who came in to fix McLean’s studio if they were hiring.

“I went in for an interview, and then they hired me in March of 2020. I got processed, got my ID and then COVID happened, so I was jobless for two years,” Nikmorad said. “Then, in July of 2021, I started working with the IT studio support people.”

Nikmorad’s supervisor at the IT department is quick to praise his work.

“He’s a bright kid and he knows his stuff,” FCPS digital operations technician Phil Cloutier said. “He gets what he wants out of people.”

From there, Nikmorad began branching out to other departments within the county, gaining more recognition across the school and forming relationships with administrators.

“He just comes down [to the front office] all the time and he stops you and talks to you,” Reilly said.

Nikmorad’s connection with an administrator at Longfellow allowed him to begin working there.

“[Another job I have] is that I am a Longfellow Middle School after school administrator where I assist their activities director, Mr. Barrows, in running the after school program,” Nikmorad said.

Even with all these jobs, Nikmorad still has to complete his regular schoolwork, which can be a challenge.

“I run three clubs and am the president of the Student Government Association (SGA). I’m also in multiple honors societies, so it gets difficult to balance my work with school,” Nikmorad said.

His work allows him to form relationships with staff that many other students do not get the chance to have. However, it took a lot of time and effort for him to build these connections.

“Before, I used to just walk into [the administrators’] offices, but now, as a senior, I make appointments,” Nikmorad said. “I am a bit persistent at first to get things done, but then we find common ground and have friendlier relationships.” While his persistence was at the forefront in his earlier years at McLean, Nikmorad has grown plenty over the last four years. “I think that he’s matured a lot from where he was before,” Reilly said. “He really has an understanding of what he wants to do and how he wants to do it.” There are a few students who have seen this growth firsthand. Fellow senior J.T. Fulkerson, who has known Nikimorad since seventh grade, has been a reliable companion. “Arman is very good at getting things done,” Fulkerson said. “Sometimes it takes a while, but if he wants something done he makes it happen.” Although he has yet to decide where he will be attending college next fall, the adults he has worked with see his potential for success, especially given his versatility. “He’s still got the world ahead of him,” Cloutier said. “He hasn’t decided on what he wants to do yet, but I hope he still pursues something in broadcast journalism. He’s good at it and he gets results.” Nikmorad holds the position I VALUE BRINGING THE COMMUNITY of head producer of the afternoon TOGETHER AND MAKING SURE EVERY news show and has taken the class for four years now. STUDENT VOICE IS HEARD.” “Being head producer is mostly like being a teacher’s assistant,” - ARMAN NIKMORAD Nikmorad said. “I make sure that SENIOR kids are on task and they know what they are doing.” Although his position as head producer differs from his county jobs, it follows the trend of Nikmorad being able to establish himself as a leader of whatever he participates in. “I like helping my classmates finish their videos and editing them,” Nikmorad said. “I enjoy the technical aspects such as going into the studio, repairing and replacing stuff.” Nikmorad manages to combine his work in the IT department and broadcast journalism. “When something breaks, I request an IT ticket for myself to come fix it,” Nikmorad said. As he does with everything he’s involved in, Nikmorad has managed to leave his mark on the broadcast journalism program. “I’ve changed a lot with how the program and how the show are run,” Nikmorad said. “I’ve also been at Longfellow trying to promote the program.” As he prepares to graduate in June, Nikmorad hopes to leave a positive legacy. “When I leave McLean, I want people to say, ‘Wow Arman really made an impact on my life,’” Nikmorad said. “That’s how I’ll feel like I have done a good job.”

OUR MAN, ARMAN — Arman Nikmorad is hard at work, collaborating with his supervisor Phil Cloutier. Nikmorad’s jobs range from doing IT work throughout FCPS to being the head producer of the broadcast journalism

program at McLean High School. (Bottom right photo by Ana Paula Ibarraran | Other photos courtesy of Donnie Biggs/FCPS)