Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 2, 1995 TAG: 9503030049
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MATT CROWDER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Feb. 20 ceremony was held in the multipurpose room at Lincoln Terrace Elementary School, where Hicks, 55, served as building manager for 171/2 years before retiring Dec. 31. The event drew parents, teachers, present and former students, and City Council Member Delvis "Mac" McCadden, who presented Hicks with a proclamation from the city.
"[Roanoke] is a city of many stars. Mr. Hicks, you are one of those stars," McCadden said.
Before coming to Lincoln Terrace in July 1977, Hicks was a cafeteria worker from 1962 to 1974 at Woodrow Wilson Junior High School, William Fleming High School, Patrick Henry High School and Addison High School. From 1974 to 1977, he was an operations service worker at Monroe Junior High School.
The words of praise for Hicks and his work flowed freely throughout the event.
"The children really look upon him not only as the building manager, but as a friend," said guidance counselor John Allman.
"He was really my right-hand man," said Douglas Dowe, the Lincoln Terrace principal from 1966 to 1988. "If there was a serious problem, I would come in and he would help me figure out how to accommodate the children.
"There was never an emergency so large that he was not there to handle it, nor a detail so small that he overlooked it," said current Lincoln Terrace principal William Sinkler.
Nearly all of the speakers stressed Hicks' great concern for the welfare of the students.
"He was a man who knew that a school was more than just floor tiles and chalkboards. He knew that the heart and soul was the children," Dowe said.
"I consider this an honor to stand here tonight and thank you for the part you played in my educational development," said Keith Thompson, a former student.
Hicks said that he had many influences along the way. But, "I've got to give honor to God first, because none of this would've happened without him."
Hicks also thanked his mother, children, brothers and sisters, and his "special friend," Gloria Cooper.
Hicks said he had a simple but important philosophy when it came to the children at Lincoln Terrace: "Every child that I could talk to, I always encouraged them to learn something. If you weren't sure about the lesson, ask the teacher."
He also said he hopes the children of Lincoln Terrace will remember an important rule of life and reflected on the changes in today's society compared to when he was growing up.
"I'd like to think that I left something in the students' minds; to treat other people as you want to be treated. If I have helped somebody that day, I think I'm blessed.
"The students in the school system have changed dramatically. Society has put pressure on the parent. We don't have time for our children like we used to; most parents are working two or three jobs, and some kids don't see the parents until late at night.
"Most of them don't take five or 10 minutes to ask their children 'how was their day?'"
Hicks said that he retired because his doctor told him that if he didn't slow down, he wasn't going to live long. He added that no matter how bad things get, everyone should keep one thing in mind: "As long as you keep God first in your life, you will make it."
by CNB