Congratulations to senior Nikolai Zacharko, the winner of the Annual Peter Mukhtar Live Generously Award, given to a senior who best exemplifies Christian values and lives his life selflessly by giving to others. 

To be considered, an applicant has to submit a 250 - 500-word essay conveying how “you live generously and exhibit family values.” 

Established in memory of Peter Mukhtar, DLS Class of 2003, the $1,000 award is presented to a high school senior from De La Salle Collegiate who is pursuing further education. 

In 2023, at age 37, Peter died tragically while playing pickleball. In high school, he was a member of the DLS soccer team. 

DLS Faculty member Thaier Mukhtar said his brother, Richard, and his wife, Nancy, established the scholarship to honor their nephew, Peter, the son of Gus and Nadia Mukhtar. 

“This is my brother’s way of having Peter’s memory live on forever,” Mukhtar said. “Our family is based on love, family values, and traditions.” 

Mukhtar encouraged his students to apply and added,  “My brother and his wife told me many of the boys from DLS wrote wonderful essays, and Nikolai’s essay came from the heart and captured the importance of family values.”

A lifelong resident of Warren, Peter earned his business degree from Grand Valley State University. He married his wife Ashley in 2019, and they purchased a home on the city’s west side. 

Every Sunday, Peter looked forward to and enjoyed a day at his parents’ home, spending quality time with his wife, brothers, and parents. He was the king of backyard games and an active participant in many social leagues. He was the person who organized get-togethers with colleagues and weekend plans with friends. He was the driving force who kept the extended family close. He freely gave of himself to enrich others’ lives and experiences. 

The first winner of the Peter Mukhtar Live Generously Scholarship was Dane Debbrecht, Class of 2025. 

Excerpts from Nikolai's Essay

“To me, generosity isn’t just about giving when it’s easy, but giving when it costs you. I’ve learned that my most meaningful acts of generosity come through giving my time, showing patience, holding others accountable, and choosing kindness in everyday moments.

“I live this out by devoting my time to others, even when I don’t have much time for myself. (Nikolai plays semi-professional soccer and trains six days a week, with double sessions and games throughout. 

“I spend part of my time helping to coach the Warren Woods Tower girls’ soccer team. One day a player asked me if I got paid to coach. When I said no, she asked why I still showed up. The answer I gave her was simple. I love coaching. I want to coach in the future, and it’s the right thing to do. 

“My grandmother has been recovering from chemotherapy, and visiting her in Bay City takes time and effort. It’s something I choose to do because I know how much it matters. In times like this, generosity is quiet. It’s not about being seen but being present.

“I’ve also learned that generosity can mean holding others accountable. As a captain of the soccer team, I pushed teammates to a higher standard. That meant having uncomfortable conversations, demanding effort, and leading by example.

"Just as Peter Mukhtar did, I strive to live generously in ways that may not always be seen, but still make a lasting impact on the people around me.”

About Nikolai Zacharko

Nikolai attended Immaculate Conception Grade School in Ira Township, and the family moved to Warren when he was in eighth grade as Nikolai had plans to attend De La Salle along with two other grade school classmates. 

“At first, deciding to go to De La Salle was because of my classmates, but then I visited the school and liked the camaraderie and the soccer program,” he said. 

Nikolai played DLS varsity soccer all four years and was a team captain for both his junior and senior years. 

Outside of school, he plays for Detroit City FC2, the “feeder” team for Detroit City FC1 in the USL (United Soccer League), a team with a heavy training and game commitment. 

Despite the huge time commitment, Nikolai will graduate summa cum laude and has taken seven Advanced Placement (AP) courses during his high school career, including U.S. History, Microeconomics, Government, English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, and Spanish. 

He will be playing soccer at Adrian College and plans to major in either Finance or Accounting. 

Along with his parents, Todd and Marife Zucharko, and an older brother, he attended the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica (Royal Oak) where his parents were married. 

Nikolai has advice for freshmen: “High school is not always about school and academics. It’s also about the people you meet and the impact you have on each other.” 

DLS Varsity Soccer coach Mr. Thaier Mukhtar has high praise for Nikolai.
“Nikolai is much more than a great 1st Team All-State soccer player who, as a captain, led his team to two back-to-back State Championships. He is a great role model to younger boys at DLS. He is a great student and one of the most impactful leaders I have ever encountered. He will do amazing things with his life, and we here at DLS will be proud of his wonderful accomplishments.”