By COLIN MANNING
N.H. Statehouse Writer

SOUTH BERWICK, Maine — Another of South Berwick’s Troop 338 has attained the rank of Eagle Scout.

Alex Nichols, a 17-year-old senior at Marshwood High School, was recognized Saturday at an Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony held at South Berwick Town Hall. About two dozen of Nichols’ family members, friends and fellow scouts watched as he finally completed the long journey to Eagle Scout.

"I’m glad that I’ve reached this point. It’s taken me three years to finally reach the end," Nichols said just before the ceremony.

Alex achieved the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America by earning 32 merit badges in a wide array of areas and completing a leadership project that sought to bring awareness to the town of South Berwick.

Alex created a stencil that he used to paint his message in 171 locations around the town. The message reads "Dump No Waste — Leads to River," and Nichols plastered it near storm drains throughout town.

"I think a lot of people here are under the impression that storm drains lead to the sewer treatment plant, which isn’t true. My hope is that people will see this message and not dump their waste, such as anti-freeze, because it goes directly into the river," said Nichols, who is an avid fisherman.

Alex started in Cub Scouts in Connecticut when he was in the first grade. His years in scouting have been an adventure, as his father Brian Nichols pointed out.

"Alex, thanks for letting me hang out with you for the past 11 years," said the elder Nichols, who is also the troop’s Scoutmaster.

Troop 338 Committee Chair Tim Shea described Alex as a "lively presence at meetings."

Then there is the butter. Many of Alex’s fellow Scouts pointed out a pound of butter situated on a table near old photographs of Alex. Apparently, at summer camp several years ago, the Scouts were cooking but ran out of butter. Alex was sent to fetch some, but when he returned, he had procured far more than was needed. He then proceeded to "sculpt" the butter into different shapes and ended up getting the dairy product smeared all over his skin and hair.

"He showed us that butter can be a fashion statement," Shea said.

Alex also enjoys playing the drums and looks forward to sticking with the Boy Scouts as an assistant Scout leader. He also enjoys acting and is looking to attend either New School University in New York City or Columbia College in Chicago next year.

"I would say that if you’re going to get into Scouts, stick with it. It’s rewarding," Alex said. "It takes up a lot of your time which can be good and bad, but it’s worth it."

Town Council Chairman Robert Gagne read a letter of congratulations to Nichols on behalf of the council, and noted that Alex joins New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Former U.S. Speaker of House Thomas Foley as fellow Eagle Scouts.
Since 1992 Troop 338 has produced 16 Eagle Scouts.