Nikki Nobles paints a resident’s nails Monday at Covenant Health & Rehabilitation Center on Porters Chapel Road. (Meredith Spencer The Vicksburg Post)

[1/4/05] What began as regular visits to see her great-grandparents at Covenant Health & Rehab of Vicksburg has resulted in a statewide award for a Vicksburg teen.

Nikki Nobles, 18, won Young Adult Volunteer of the Year award from the Mississippi Health Care Association for her volunteer work at the nursing home on Porters Chapel Road. She was recognized at the association’s conference in Jackson.

Nikki started visiting the facility, then Trace Haven, six years ago when her great-grandparents, Ben Bowlin and Hautense Ferguson, moved there.

Soon Nikki was visiting nearly every day, a routine she continues. She started assisting activities director Angela McAllister, who nominated Nikki for the award, by giving one-on-one attention to residents.

Nikki helped the residents do little things most people take for granted: fetching coffee from the kitchen, polishing fingernails, rolling those in wheelchairs outside for fresh air. Sometimes, she just spends time with residents in their rooms.

“It makes me feel better … that somebody’s looking after them,” Nikki said.

Nikki said she appreciated the recognition from the nursing home and assisted living association.

“It means a lot because I do what they ask,” Nikki said.

Nikki’s mother said volunteering at the nursing home has helped her daughter grow as a person.

“They’ve allowed her to volunteer there and it’s made her a better person. It’s a wonderful facility,” Charlie Nobles said.

Her experience at the nursing home may also have sparked a career interest. The Warren Central High School senior said she’d like to be an activities director like McAllister.

In the meantime, Nikki’s contributions are a great help to the staff, McAllister said.

“She gives me a break by giving attention to (those) who want one-on-one time. She’s a big help,” McAllister said.

Sadie Bradley is one of those residents. She said Nikki wheels her around, helps her complete word puzzles and brings her drinks from the kitchen.

“Nikki is a very good, sweet person to me,” Bradley said.