Prior to entering the Broughton halls, many current and former Broughton students were taught social studies by Mr. Nichols. Mr. Nichols served a prominent role in many people’s lives as a father, husband, and teacher. While battling heart complications for six years, he still persevered to educate others every day.

   Up until Christmas break, Mr. Nichols strived to continue to teach his students despite his condition. Over the holiday break, a time supposed to be a period of rest and relaxation for teachers, Mr. Nichols faced serious heart implications. 

   “His wife, Megan Nichols, says he was having major pains on New Year’s Eve and was rushed to the hospital, where he was told he would need a new heart,” WRAL reported. 

   Mr. Nichols received a heart transplant, however, he faced kidney problems and shortly received a kidney transplant. The two transplants were overwhelming for his body and he sadly passed away on January 20 with his wife and daughter next to him.

   I personally did not have Mr. Nichols as my social studies teacher, but he was a teacher on my team. I remember him always lighting the mood out in Oberlin Middle School’s halls and positive energy radiating from his classroom. 

   “In sixth grade, I was lucky enough to be able to have Mr. Nichols as my Social Studies teacher,” Broughton student Callie Oxford shared. “Mr. Nichols was one of the kindest people as he supported me, along with the rest of my classmates, in any way he could. That school year, I was diagnosed with a serious concussion and was limited from doing many school activities. Mr. Nichols opened up his classroom to me every day so that I could enjoy the quietness to help my head. This is just one of the examples of how Mr. Nichols constantly opened his doors to anyone who needed him and how he was such a kind man.”

   Mr. Nichols will be remembered as a mentor and a person who doesn’t let their hardships get in the way of doing what they love.