Sandy Standard Profile: Nick Walden Poublon

Name: Nick Walden Poublon 

Place of birth: Eugene, Oregon – although I grew up in Harrisburg, OR

How long on in Sandy: Just about 20 years. 

If you were not brought here as a child, what brought you to the area: My husband and I were looking for a place to put down roots after finishing college. Since his family has lived in Sandy for generations, the community already felt like home, making it a natural place for us to settle and build our lives together. 

Profession: Substitute Teacher, Healthcare Advocate, and Community Leader 

Other professions: Former Student Health Advisor at Portland State University, Legislative Aide, Drug & Alcohol Prevention Specialist, currently serving on Board of Directors for Healthcare for All Oregon 

Favorites: 

Movie/and or Musical: The Wizard of Oz (for its message that home is where the heart is) Actress and Actor: I like Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling 

TV show: The Golden Girls, Frasier 

Book: I read the whole series when it first came out cover to cover so I’d have to say George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones. I have honestly never seen the television series. I am an eternal optimist – I am waiting for that final book from the author. 

Type of music: I am very eclectic as far as music goes. My parents listened to some crazy 80s music that I’d probably avoid but anything else I like. 

Food: Chinese food, Heidi’s of Gresham and a cold Diet Dr. Pepper.

Hobbies: Reading, gardening, hiking, cooking, interviewing authors, and volunteering in the community. 

If offered a dream vacation, where would you go, and why: 

If offered a dream vacation, I would travel to Europe, particularly England. During my master's program, I focused on English history, especially the Tudor era and the traditions, ceremonies, and rituals surrounding the monarchy. I spent years studying the people and places that shaped that period, so having the opportunity to walk through the castles, cathedrals, and historic sites I know so well from books would be an incredible experience. 

Best lesson learned as a child: Show up, work hard, and treat people with kindness. 

Defining moment in your life or your greatest accomplishment: Surviving a brain tumor at age 27 and turning that experience into a lifelong commitment to improving healthcare access for others. It led me to serving on the board of Healthcare for All Oregon, and to serve as chair of the Democratic Party of Oregon’s Healthcare Caucus. 

A memorable dinner: 

The first Thanksgiving after my mother passed away. I cooked the entire dinner, set the table, and gathered everyone together. It was a beautiful day filled with family, stories, and memories of Mom. Then, the next day, everyone came down with the flu — which was definitely, absolutely, not food poisoning. 

What made it memorable wasn't the unfortunate timing of the illness. It was being surrounded by the people I needed most during a difficult year. My mother wasn't sitting at the table with us, but in many ways, she was there all the same. 

A funny moment from your life that you can share: 

I had a smart mouth from the very beginning. My mother loved telling a story about a trip to the grocery store when I was barely old enough to talk. As she pushed me down an aisle, a woman nearby was struggling to get a large jar of pickles off a shelf. After a heroic effort, the jar slipped from her hands and shattered on the floor, splashing pickle juice everywhere.

As my mother steered the cart around the growing mess, I apparently leaned out of the cart, looked directly at the woman, and said, "Oh, good go, lady." 

My mother was mortified. The woman was not amused. And according to my family, it was the first clear sign that sarcasm was going to be a defining personality trait. 

If you could invite anyone (past or present) to dinner, who would it be, and why: 

Harvey Milk. I'd love to hear firsthand about his courage, optimism, and vision for a more inclusive future. 

Describe yourself in one word: Persistent. 

When you're not reading The Sandy Standard, what book/author/magazine/other do you read: I really love author Wally Lamb, who I have had the opportunity to interview. I am currently reading David Sedaris’ newest book of stories, The Land and Its People, and the books in the Red Rising series by Pierce Brown. I also love authors Elizabeth Strout and Douglas Stuart. 

If your life were made into a play or movie, what would the title be: Showing Up Matters – it was the theme of my campaign for State Representative and I meant it. 

Pet peeve: People who complain about problems but refuse to be part of the solution. 

Bad habit you’d like to break: Probably taking on too many projects at one time. Or popping my knuckles. 

Famous person(s) you have met, and the circumstances: I've had the opportunity to interview a number of bestselling authors over the years and attended the 2024 Democratic National Convention as a delegate, where I met political leaders and public figures from across the country. 

Favorite quote: "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice." — Martin Luther King Jr. 

Favorite part of The Sandy Standard: The local stories. It's where you learn what's really happening in your community and meet the people who make Sandy special.