Peter Hess Memorial Teacher Recognition Award

The Peter Hess Memorial Teacher Recognition Award. This award is to honor Peter who was a 1974 Lincoln High School Graduate. Mr. and Mrs. Phil Hess (Peter’s parents), family and friends have established this award within the Foundation in memory of their son, brother and friend Peter. This award is established on the basis that not only parents are needed to raise children, but that is takes in entire village to educate a child. Church, organizations such as boy scouts and others, educators at all levels, and community leaders have an huge impact and an important role in the development of our youth, which prepares them to become our future educators, businessmen, parents and community leaders. This fund is established as a way to thank those who are instrumental in creating the foundation years of youth.

Peter established many achievements in his short lived life. Peter attributed some of his success to the two years at Northland Community and Technical College where he graduated and also the University of Minnesota, Moorhead where he graduated with honors. Peter was a prominent California jeweler and past president of the California Jewelers Association. He began his career at his fathers jewelry store in Thief River Falls, known as the Jewel Box. He received his Graduate Gemology degree and joined the Gemological Institute of America staff, teaching diamond and gemstone courses for nine years before leaving the institute in 1987 to buy Snyder and Snyder Jewelers in San Juan Capistrano. He served on many boards and was president-elect of the Rotary Club in his area. As described by a coworker he showed integrity, kindness, compassion, patience, honesty and humor. Friends described him as a great leader and having a sense of service to the community. Another fact was his business and his relationships with customers. He was quoted as saying that "His jewelry design challenge was to make a piece that set off the sparkle of someone’s personality, or created a radiance for their natural beauty.

Each year, two individuals who are educators, who are employed with School District #564, have expressed good work ethics, displayed outstanding leadership, integrity, self motivation, commitment to education, dedication to the community, and have set a good example by their good moral values will be honored with a $500 unrestricted award.