Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

PES students present appreciation award

PRESCOTT - The true American spirit that sometimes get lost in the hustle and bustle of todays world was proclaimed by Prescott Elementary School students as they sang at a special appreciation ceremony Wednesday morning held in honor of Firestone Building Products contributions to the community and schools in Prescott.

The Prescott School District, along with the Nevada County Economic Development Council, presented Bill Smith, former Firestone plant manager, since promoted to director of manufacturing, with an award of appreciation.

The second graders sang, This is America, America ... a land of courage, faith and honor ... throughout their first song and secondly they proclaimed, I love my country, I love my freedom am a citizen! I have equality! I love my country, the USA!

Superintendent of Prescott Schools Hyacinth Deon read aloud to Smith what was inscribed on the clear plaque as she handed it to him.

In our lifetime there will be those who touch our lives, but those who teach us to excel and reach for our dreams will live in us forever, she read.

As a bonus with a little school spirit, Deon also gave Smith a Prescott Curley Wolf hat and T-shirt.

Smith was instrumental in securing the $100,000, received in increments, donated by Firestone to the Prescott School District in 2007, according to Nevada County Economic Development Director Mary Godwin.

Smith also was presented with an award for his community service by Jeff Weaver, district director for Congressman Mike Ross. Smith, who worked with the Prescott community for several years, seemed touched.

I was not sure what to expect today and I do not want to kid you, but it is very personal to me. We make rubber roofing, we are not brain surgeons, and we do not put men on the moon, but we do instill livelihood, Smith said. When I am down and out, I think about what matters, which is the long-term impact we have in our community, for the people, schools, and the children.

Growing up northern, you worry you wont be accepted, Smith said. He said he never felt as though he was not accepted in the Prescott community.

Thank you for allowing Firestone to make an overall impact on everyone, he added.