Except for a four-year period, Paul Nichols has represented

Except for a four-year period, Paul Nichols has represented Wakefield District on the School Board since 1959. For an even longer period, since 1955, he has been the Scoutmaster or assistant Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 36. In both activities he has been a friend and advocate for children.

Ellie Clark said when she and her family were settling into the county and beginning to look at the Scouting program, she was most impressed to learn that men who had been Boy Scouts in Mr. Nichols’ troop were now bringing their own sons back into their old troop with Mr. Nichols. Both her sons are in the troop with her oldest Jim Clark on the verge of earning his Eagle Scout award.

He will be at least the eighth young man from Troop 36 to earn this honor, the highest in Boy Scouting. The list includes Mr. Nichols’ own sons, Andy, Curtis and Doug, and Jim Clark will make the third in two years. Only a small percentage of Boy Scouts ever become Eagle Scouts, but Mr. Nichols’ percentage has been higher.

Jennings Carney explained some of why that happens. “Mr. Nichols pushes you to earn merit badges, to advance in Scouting,” he explained. “When you look back, you’re glad he did that because you have gotten so much out of it.”

He explained that Mr. Nichols makes the new young scouts feel welcome and includes them. To some his methods may seem strange. He kids them constantly, giving them nicknames, often girls’ names. Not all boys thrive under this style of v leadership, but the ones that do, learn to return the kidding. “He jokes around a lot, that makes them feel more comfortable. He gets his fair share of joking and kidding from us too," Jennings said.

Steven Clark explains that Mr. Nichols is careful to make sure each scout has the proper equipment for a campout. He teaches basic principles carefully. “He’s