Scott Honored For Clay Volunteer Work

Clay County Resident Derek Scott will be honored in Nashville for his volunteer work and dedication to improving the community.

Scott serves as President of the Clay County Horse Club. Scott said he organizes a banquet for kids, hosts town dances with one coming up in February, and also visits nursing homes to assist the elderly. Scott will be honored with the Governors Volunteer Star Award.

“It means a lot because you go out of your way and you spend your own money and your own time and away from your family to give to people you don’t even know sometimes,” Scott said. “I guess when you do get a reward or recognized for something like this, it, the hard work, and the headaches finally pay off.”

Scott said his driving motivation is his three kids, his wife, and three dogs. Scott said horse riding is one of his passions, and teaching the younger generation, like his kids, is something that brings him joy in life. Scott also said that as long as his family is invested, he is invested, and with that dedication, Clay County is in good hands.

“They get so excited when they never rode a horse and get to ride a horse,” Scott said. “And when you finally get to turn these kids loose on the horses after they had so much training with me after you finally get to turn them loose and get to see the joy of them riding a 1200-pound animal under their control.”

Scott said when he helps out, he goes all out. Scott said the horse club bridges the gap between generations.

“I was worried about the kids interacting with the residents at the nursing home, the older people. I was scared that they wouldn’t know how to talk to them and make them laugh and boy was I blown away,” Scott said. “The kids just bonded with the residents at the nursing home so fast.”