Nicole Sosalla

In twenty short years, Nicole Marie Sosalla, Nikki to her friends, made her mark on her world. She will be remembered by those who knew her and by those who watched her lead the Iowa State Marching Band during its pre-game and half-time shows for two seasons.

Nikki, as a sophomore, was the youngest drum major to lead the ISU Marching Band, taking Jack Trice Field by storm just two days after her 19th birthday. The position of drum major is usually held by seniors, and sometimes a junior. Nikki’s talent, dedication, and leadership abilities won her the coveted position at the end of her freshman year.

Her spirit and dedication were an inspiration to all who knew her. Nikki was instrumental in the establishment of a chapter of the Tau Beta Sigma honorary on the Iowa State campus. Because of her work, Tau Beta Sigma and Kappa Kappa Psi have established a national award, The Nikki, in her honor.

We will remember Nikki as an individual ahead of her time. She blazed the trail and others followed, whether playing softball, building soap box derby cars, earning Girl Scout badges, or working on 4-H projects. Nikki loved listening to her Beatles tapes, playing her clarinet to relax and her trumpet for fun. She was a child of the 1960s in the 1990s with her tie-died shirts, her peace symbol earrings, and her cat named Mundo Paz (World Peace).

Nikki enjoyed counseling at Catholic Youth Camp and TEC weekends because she said she hoped others would grow from the experiences as she had. Whether at Dowling High School or Iowa State, Nikki encouraged others to share their talents just as she shared hers. Nikki was majoring in psychology, in hopes of someday helping troubled youth.

Nicole Marie Sosalla was born September 4, 1972 on the U.S. Naval Base in Rota, Spain. She died May 30, 1993 in Des Moines, Iowa at the age of 21, after a three-week critical illness, its cause never determined.

But Nikki will live forever in the hearts of those who were lucky enough to know her.

Dedicated by:

Keith and Iva June Myers (Grandparents)
Denise and Norval Korth (Aunt & Uncle)
Donyce and Bill Paisley (Aunt & Uncle)
Darlynn and Ray Herweg (Aunt & Uncle)
Danette and Chuck Ogden (Aunt & Uncle)

Submitted on 12/23/94

Paver Inscription

"Nicole Sosalla
Her Enthusiasm
And Dedication
Will Live On
Through Others"