Most people in PHS know Media Teacher Heather Nichols, who last year accepted a position as one of the Pride of Paoli Color Guard instructors at the beginning of this band season.

Nichols’s job as an instructor comes with responsibilities, but luckily, she does not work alone. Orleans graduate Katie White helps to keep the group and Nichols focused on what they need to improve. 

Nichols might still be learning on the job, but she is thriving in her current role.

“Being one of the guard instructors has been a learning experience every time I go to practice,” said Nichols. 

She is not new to color guard, having been a member of the Pride back when she was in high school herself. In the future, Nichols plans to improve in many ways.

“I plan to learn as much as I can to be a good instructor for them. My goal is to push them each practice so that we put the best show on the field we can,” said Nichols. 

Working with the color guard makes the job of guard coach both fun and challenging for Nichols. One student who has helped play a big role in the transition to new instructors has been senior Arah Brinkman. 

“This year has been a change that benefited us in the long run. Many newer kids struggled with the change initially, but we all love Katie and Nichols dearly. They have both turned the guard into something unrecognizable from last year, one of the best in class D,” said Brinkman.   

Nichols’s job as Pride of Paoli has been a very rewarding experience, and she hopes to continue working with the color guard in the future.