Editor:
As I was watching the school board meeting online on May 10, I was incredibly sad and disappointed to hear about the resignation of teacher/coach Dustin Nichol.
For the past 25-plus years Dustin has been dedicated to the youth of our community. He has been a coach for not only the high school but also youth programs through the Boys and Girls Club long before his own children were involved.
He spearheaded the turf project and now the community has an amazing facility that we can all be proud of and that is the envy of many other communities.
As the football coach he made sure that none of his players ever went without. If the player didn’t have the money to pay for physicals, camp, food, etc., he made sure it was paid for.
In addition to being a dedicated football coach he was also instrumental in bringing back a successful Forestry Program to Sweet Home High School and I’m pretty sure that even though Mr. Manley has taken over the program, Dustin is still involved.
Both of my boys played football for Dustin and had him as a wood shop and auto shop teacher. They both enjoyed him as a teacher, coach, and mentor.
I am an involved parent/community member as well as the Booster Club president. What I found out about Dustin in the past years is that he does not know how to say “no” if someone asks him for help.
I knew if the Booster Club needed anything, all I would have to do is ask and it would get done. I know I am not the only one who benefitted from his generosity.
This all came at the expense of him giving up quality time with his family over the years.
I could go on about Dustin’s continued dedication to the Sweet Home community but I’m sure he’s already going to be upset with me for writing this. I just want to make sure he knows how much he is appreciated and will be missed.
Shari Melcher-Smith
Class of 1987
Sweet Home