This year though seemed to hold a little extra poignancy. Jamie Hillery was given special recognition for her ‘ten year chamberversary” and “hard work, dedication, and passionate work.” Cassidy Lawrence represented the Chamber Board to present this honor to Hillery who appeared pleasantly surprised and appreciative of the accolade. Also, Prescott Superintendent Robert Poole was visibly moved when honoring his daughter Caytlee Poole with a heartfelt speech for Prescott’s Student of the Year Award. Each presenter displayed a genuine appreciation for these honorees, and common phrases such as “helping others” and “love for the community” could be heard to describe each and every one. The full list of award recipients are as follows:
The Williams Family (Damon and Terri) was honored for 2024 Farm Family of the Year. Farmers Bank & Trust’s Lauren Brown presented the award. She said the bank sponsors this award each year to honor families like the Williams and “give recognition and encouragement to farm families who are doing an outstanding job on their farm and in their community.”
Caleb Moss was named Nevada School District Student of the Year. Nevada Principal Carol Foster said Moss had a “strong work ethic, leadership abilities, dependability, and passion for his school and family.” She followed that by saying, “I’m confident that he will thrive in any environment and make a positive impact anywhere he goes.”
Patty Cole was named Nevada School District Elementary Educator of the Year. Foster described Cole as someone who gives 100 percent to her students day in and day out. She is often the first one at school and the last one to leave. Foster also said Cole strives to make sure her students learn.
Eddie Beck was named the Nevada School District High School Educator of the Year. Foster said Beck has only been at the district for two years but has already “made an impact on the teachers and students there… and molds the students into good people.”
Willie Wilson was named Prescott Educator of the Year. Prescott Superintendent Robert Poole presented the award and said this year it was an easy choice, because Wilson stepped in as junior high principal and took the reins halfway through the year when the school lost its head administrator. He said of Wilson. “Ever since he’s been in the school district, everything he’s been asked to do he has done it… and done it very exceptionally.”
Caytlee Poole was named Prescott School District Student of the Year. Poole said Caytlee was number one in her class, a 4.2 GPA student, six-time All American Cheerleader, State Champion Track winner, National Honor Society Student, along with many other distinctions he listed. However, he said these weren’t the only reasons she was selected. He described her as a girl who loves her school, her classmates, and her teammates more than anything else, and she always thinks of others and puts others first.
4M Farm Supply was honored with the 2025 Business Leadership Award. Master of Ceremonies Lynn Vanderveer said of the Milam Family “Their extensive knowledge and experience in both cattle and poultry is unmatched. They are always willing to lend a helping hand and share their knowledge with any fellow farmer.”
Prescott VFW was awarded Organization of the Year. “This nonprofit organization, established in 1965, stands as a pillar of support and camaraderie for our local veterans,” Vanderveer said. The Prescott VFW was also described as offering a variety of activities and events “to strengthen the bond among veterans and their community.”
Julia Ingram-McLelland was awarded Treasure of Gold for her service. Presented by Vanderveer, McLelland was described as someone who is “an instrumental part of the Prescott and Nevada County.” Vandeveer said the community has been blessed with her impact on the community in the last 40 years whether it was through her role as school counselor, through her church family, her role in female sports, or many other community activities.
Mickey Byers was named the Hometown Hero for 2025. “While proudly serving his country, he helped coach various community sports teams,” Vanderveer said. Byers was also described as one who is the first to clear the roads of debris after a storm, assist in emergencies, or respond to a neighbor in need of a helping hand. Vanderveer said Byers lives by the motto, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing” so he strives to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
Dennis Pruitt was presented with the Citizen of the Year Award. Vanderveer said Pruitt has over the years served both on the Prescott City Council and Nevada County Quorum Court while also coaching sports, driving a bus, and many other activities that involves helping others. Vanderveer said of Pruitt, “This individual has been known to go over and beyond to make our community a better place to live.”
Above two photos: Prescott Student of the Year Caytlee Poole, with her father Prescott Superintendent Robert Poole.
