Doug and Nancy Schwartz named Centreville Citizens of the Year
Doug and Nancy Schwartz met in grade school in Centreville, became high school sweethearts and have now been married more than 30 years.
Now, another chapter has been added to their book of milestones: Centreville Citizens of the Year.
Municipal officials made the news official during their council meeting Monday.
Village president Brandy Eckert and her husband nominated the couple. Eckert said Doug and Nancy have been loyal to the community and its school district. Nancy, in fact, is a parapro at Centreville Elementary, a school where her and her husband’s kids attended, and grandkids currently attend.
“In addition to being incredibly faithful to Centreville and Centreville schools, Doug and Nancy are founding members of Firm Foundation Ministries and somehow, over the past decade, have managed to lead its Vacation Bible School every summer,” Eckert said. “They lead marriage classes and they go out of their way to assist families during difficult situations … they give hope to others in the community during a time of need and give an uplifting example of what a successful marriage working together for the betterment of others looks like.”
Eckert said the village is fortunate and privileged to have them as residents, and the two are the epitome of Bulldog Pride and Centreville Pride.
The couple will be recognized during Centreville Covered Bridge Days, specifically during its July 16 parade.
Nancy, whose maiden name is Lahman, said the award was a surprise, not reveled to her and her husband until their daughter, Sarah Smith, shared the news later in the week. She said Citizen of the Year isn’t an acknowledgment most people seek. But when it just happens, as it did for her and her husband, it’s a humbling feeling.
“It’s one of those things where you just go out every day, treat others as you would like to be treated, be nice to people and be proud of where you live,” she said. “We were part of a lot of championship teams in high school … those are the ones you want to win.”
Nancy’s father was Centreville High School principal for nearly two decades.
Doug, 58, and Nancy, 57, said they strive to always give back to the community any way possible. Anyone who is aware of the magnitude of Firm Foundation’s Vacation Bible School knows how critical the two are to its success. The summertime program draws about 300 kids annually.
Doug, meanwhile, shared an anecdote that dates to elementary school.
“When we were in Little League, Nancy was one of only two girls in the program, and I can remember pitching against her and walking her,” he said. “Then, when we were in junior high, she tried out for cheerleading and I was one of the judges. I doubt anyone would be surprised to know I voted for her.”
They have five children, including a son in Heaven. Their remaining three sons and one daughter graduated from Centreville and live in the area. They have five grandkids, with another on the way.
The couple is looking forward to Covered Bridge Days and the opportunity to thank the community for its consideration.
“What an honor,” Nancy said. “We appreciate the recognition, it’s very meaningful to us. Centreville has been good to us.”
This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: Doug, Nancy Schwartz named Centreville Citizens of the Year
