Few people personify Oxford like Helen L. Smith.
From her more than three decades of helping honor and support Wildcat athletes to her involvement in American Legion Post 108 to her work on numerous local political campaigns, she bleeds blue and gold.
‘If you’ve ever been to Oxford, you know Helen Smith,? said longtime friend Mickey Hiatt.
That’s why it’s so fitting that on Tuesday, Hiatt, on behalf of the Rotary Club of Oxford, presented Smith with the coveted G.E. Meads Award.
‘Helen told me a long time ago, there’s one award in this whole world (she) would love to have ? the G.E. Meads Award,? said Hiatt, addressing the audience in the Rotary Community Room at the Oxford Public Library.
‘I always thought the most prestigious thing in Oxford was this award and I thank you from the bottom of my heart,? Smith said.
Created in 2000, the award is named for Dr. G.E. (Steve) Meads, a local dentist who helped charter the Rotary Club of Oxford in 1937 and served as its first president.
‘This award means a great deal to me because Dr. G.E. Meads was my dentist when I was young. I knew him quite well,? Smith told this reporter. ‘He was a very good friend of my father’s. I graduated with Ed (his son). Mrs. Meads taught my children in school. Knowing them like I did, this a great honor.?
The G.E. Meads Award is presented to non-Rotarians who exemplify the club’s motto ‘Service Above Self? by making significant contributions to the community.
‘I think Helen emulates everything Oxford stands for and what Rotary stands for,? said Rotarian Jim Tichenor, who nominated Smith for the award. ‘Helen Smith’s name is synonymous with Oxford.?
Tichenor said he’s witnessed ‘her in action? since moving to Oxford in 1972.
‘Anytime there was something needed, she would volunteer,? he said.
The fact that Smith’s involvement has been ‘consistent over a long period of time,? not ‘just a blip and gone,? is what made her so deserving of the G.E. Meads Award. A ‘continuous stream of good things? has flowed from Smith’s dedication to the community.
‘I don’t think anybody was disappointed when Helen was chosen (for the award),? Tichenor said. ‘She deserves it.?
Since graduating from Oxford High School in 1952, Smith has made it her mission in life to see that young people receive the support they need and the happy memories they deserve.
‘Mainly, I like to do it for our children, our high school students,? she said. ‘They are our future.?
Although Smith served on the board of education from 1974-77, spent six years as a cheerleading coach and was even honored as the OHS ‘Mother of the Year? in 1973, she’s best known for her tireless involvement in the Oxford Wildcat Booster Club from its founding in the late 1960s through its dissolution in 2005.
Every year from 1975 until 2005, Smith, without fail, made sure every single senior high school athlete was honored with a plaque at a banquet held in their honor.
She didn’t do any of it for money. She didn’t do it for awards or recognition. She didn’t do it because she sent three girls through Oxford Schools.
Smith did it because way back when somebody did it for her, and it seemed only right to return the favor.
‘I remember when I was in school all the things that were done for us that made our high school years so great,? she said. ‘Those were some of the best times I’ve had in my life.?
Smith hopes today’s high school students will give back someday.
‘There are so many, many, many people that do so much for our youth,? she said. ‘I’m hoping they will remember that, so when they go out into the world and have jobs, homes and families, they will give back to their communities, their schools and organizations.?
‘You give to the next generation and you hope they will give to generations to come,? Smith added. ‘I’ve always felt you don’t have to do a lot, but if everybody would have one thing that they would give some time and energy to, what a great place we’d have.?
A patriot through and through, Smith has dedicated much of her time to American Legion Post 108 and Auxiliary Unit 108.
In addition to holding various offices in the Auxiliary Unit, she continues to chair the Boys State and Girls State programs (see page 14), which educate high school students about the inner working of government and promote the importance of being an active and informed citizen.
Passionate and opinionated when it comes to politics, Smith has worked as a campaign treasurer for township, village, school board and county officials.
‘I have been vocal when I’ve got a cause,? she said. ‘If everybody would speak up for what they believe in, this would be a better place.?
Whenever there’s an important political issue or election in town, lots of folks immediately pick up the telephone and call Smith to hear what she thinks.
Smith’s always happy to give her opinion, but she also tells people ‘you’ve got to think for yourself? and encourages them to ‘investigate? things on their own.
‘I’m only one person,? she said. ‘I might not be right.?