#nickymoore

We lost another good man today. And the only difference between the man we lost today and the men that we have become accustomed to losing over the years is a single metric: age. Nick Moore (also known as Nicky in his formative years) was twenty-eight years old. 

I will always remember the first time that I met Nicky (I feel comfortable using that nombre here because, at least in my own impressionable mind, he will always be remembered as Nicky). 

Nicky was the new kid. He was “cool” because he had arrived in Jacksonville, Oregon and hailed from somewhere much “cooler” than Jacksonville (California if you can trust my mercurial memory). 

Nicky had arrived at Jacksonville Elementary School during a golden age of learning. The majority of teachers at Jacksonville Elementary during that time (the middle 1990s) were very “seasoned.” Some referred to them as “masters of the craft of teaching.” In turn, the State of Oregon referred to Jacksonville Elementary somewhat regularly as an “Excellent” or “Exceptional” learning environment. 

The reason for Nicky’s arrival was unclear. Some say it had to do with an employment opportunity on the part of one of his parents. Others said something contradictory. It mattered little what was said. All that mattered was that Jacksonville had been blessed with a new leader and it was my “job” to show this young man around his new academic quarters. I felt honored. 

From the beginning, it was clear that Nick was unlike all the other boys at Jacksonville. He stood a little taller. He played basketball and could actually score when he needed to. On some days, he wore blue jeans and a white t-shirt.