Blaskowsky’s Next Chapter:A Different Kind of Uniform

Chapter One: Welcome to the WorldImagine being a teenager, sitting in a hospital room while you wait to have your first-born child. Your family doesn’t approve of the babies father because you are white and his is black. You are left alone to deal with the situation and decide to keep your pregnancy a secret, especially from your family.

The birth parents want their baby girl to have the life she deserves. Due to the circumstances, they’re left to face a difficult decision but decide to give her up for adoption.

It was April 15, 1994, when Nicole “Kidd” Blaskowsky was born. Nicole’s birth parents, Farrah and Zach, found a couple from Sugar Land, Texas, where they were also from, who had interest in adopting Nicole. The couple had previously adopted other children as well. While Farrah and Zach wanted nothing more than their baby to have a happy life, they picked Doug and Carol Blaskowsky to become Nicole’s adoptive parents.

Although it’s uncommon in a closed adoption, the Blaskowskys had agreed to meet with Farrah and Zach in person. The meeting left the couple with a sense of relief knowing that Nicole would be in great hands.

Nicole “Kidd” Blaskowsky joined by her two families as they support her on senior night

Chapter Two: Climbing the LadderNicole had a happy childhood growing up in Sugar Land, Texas. She spent most of her free time participating in sports and playing basketball outside with her two brothers as well as other neighborhood kids. Nicole easily chose basketball as her primary sport.

She was first reached out to as she was playing basketball in middle school. The Austin High School coach David Kubicsek noticed her talent and asked to enroll her in varsity PE for basketball. After that, Nicole was a starter on the varsity team as a freshman.

She stayed on her game as she pursued AAU in the offseason and began climbing the ladder of basketball success. Her dream was to play in the Big 12 and was ready to commit to any school that offered her the opportunity first.

“I told my grandpa when I was younger that I wanted to play in the Big 12, and I didn’t care where. Coach Fennelly offered me a full-ride scholarship and I took it right away,” said Nicole.

She then verbally committed to Iowa State University.

Chapter Three: A Whole New WorldIn 2011, Nicole was headed toward some big changes. She was finally faced with the question of finding her birth parents along with committing to play at ISU.

She had a friend who found his birth parents by searching them on Facebook so she decided to take the same route. Once she successfully found Farrah on Facebook, she saw her birth parents had not only stayed together over the years but had two more children as well. Nicole instantly knew they were her siblings based on such similar appearances.

After Nicole messaged Farrah asking to get in contact, Farrah and Zach felt a wave of emotions as they waited for this day to come. The couple set up a date to visit the Blaskowskys with their two younger children, Ryen and Boston.

Farrah and Zach were always worried about how Nicole would feel toward them but she had a big heart and a happy life. She was content with the decision they made. The first meeting was filled with hugs and getting to know one another. The

Nicole with her siblings Boston and

Ryen

Back row: Zach, Nicole, Doug, CarolFront row: Ryen, Boston, Farrah

two families decided to slowly build a relationship. In no time, everything was natural.

As Nicole’s personal life took a turn in a new direction, so did her basketball career as she approached her freshman year at ISU. She was very homesick that year and was lucky to have her father Doug by her side.

Nicole has always been close with Doug and at her first practice of the year, she shed tears of joy when she saw him there to support her. From then on, he never missed a first practice.

Surely enough, Nicole transitioned well and successfully continued advancing her basketball career. She made a great addition to the Iowa State women’s basketball team while making an

impact on and off the court.

In a news release located at cyclones.com, Fennelly expressively says, “Kidd was a tremendous addition to our team. She has an amazing passion for life, her teammates and the game of basketball. The spirit and mood of our team was dramatically impacted by Kidd, and that is almost unheard of in a freshman.”

Chapter Four: Putting Away the JerseyNicole made a great career for herself during her time at Iowa State University. She finished her senior year making it to four NCAA Tournaments.

“I’m definitely gonna miss walking out on Hilton and playing in front of the best fans in the country and the friendships I’ve built that’ll carry with me throughout life. Overall, I’ve accomplished that goal of being a student athlete and graduating in May is the biggest accomplishment for my family and I. Basketball won’t last forever and I’ve always known there was gonna be an end,” said Nicole.

A special quote that Coach Fennelly said has really stuck with her: “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”

Nicole got to experience some of the amazing benefits that come along with being a student-athlete. She advanced personally and professionally through Student-Athlete Affairs programming while also making lifelong connections with her student-athlete family.

Nicole standing with her father Doug before a game

Student-Athlete Affairs Coordinator Amanda Hernandez said, “Kidd is a very passionate person, and that passion is clearly seen on the court, in the classroom, in the community, and in her relationships with others. I am so excited to see her transition into the next stage of life, and I know her next adventure will be the best one yet! She has been a great representative of Iowa State University and will forever be a Cyclone.”

Blaskowsky’s Next Chapter: A Different Kind of UniformNicole has always had a passion for the military and has thought about joining for some time. She is very much a team player and has no interest in working in a cubical or sitting at a desk all day.

She plans to live in Ames for one more year and work before enlisting in the Marines. Yes, the Marines.

“Protecting our country is something you have to take a lot of pride in and being a player at Iowa State University and having pride in my team has helped lead me in the right direction. I am ready to accept this challenge,” said Nicole.

She is a very family-oriented person and knowing that she has support from her family has made this decision easy for her. “My dad has a sense that he’s raised me right and knows I’ll do what’s best. Everyone is very supportive,” Nicole said.

Nicole is ready to do big things and carry everything she’s learned through her career at Iowa State University into the Marines. For now, this chapter is to be continued..

Iowa State women’s basketball team cheering together