By Rusty Nixon Correspondent
PLYMOUTH — A man who spent his life in service to others will continue to be celebrated by Plymouth High School’s athletic department.
The Dr. J. Kent Guild Mental Attitude Award will be presented annually to a senior involved in Plymouth High School athletics who consistently displays a positive mental attitude.

“It’s a celebration of the magnificent human being known as Kent Guild,” said Will Erwin, who along with wife June established the open fund with the Marshall County Community Found-ation to make the scholarship possible.
“He always gave of himself to so many,” added June. “He was just a wonderful example of Christian humility.”
“I applaud the school and community for establishing a scholarship for this outstanding man,” said former Plymouth High School Athletic Director and family friend Bill Nixon. “He was a very special person who had my complete respect and admiration. My hope is that only very special students will receive the award.”
That dedication to service and humility in his life, along with the value of teamwork, were learned by Guild as a star athlete himself. The recipient of the scholarship will exemplify those qualities that Guild held most dear by a passion for service, unselfishness, and helpfulness on a daily basis and exemplifying teamwork on and off the field.
“We talked about doing this very shortly after Dr. Guild passed away but we wanted to take our time and do it the right way,” said Plymouth Athletic Director Roy Benge. “We wanted it to be very special because he was a very special man. This award is a perfect fit for Dr. Guild, especially the emphasis on service.
“He made himself available to absolutely everybody in his more than 30 years as the team doctor here at Plymouth. It didn’t matter who you were he was there for you. They don’t make people like Kent Guild anymore.”
The recipient must meet the following minimum requirements:
• be a Plymouth High School senior attending an institute of higher learning following high school.
• be involved in athletics (same sport or different sports) every year of high school as an athlete or manager.
• have a GPA of a “B” or better.
• be a person of good standing and have no violations of the Plymouth High School Athletic Code of Conduct for the student’s entire high school career.
The recipient will be chosen by the same committee that determines current PHS athletic awards – the Kizer Award and the male and female Scholar Athlete Awards. There will be no application process. Any senior student who meets the criteria will be considered.
“He was a man of great depth and immense spiritual qualities,” said Will Irwin. “He did so many good things but always remained in the background. I guess since he’d been a star basketball player in college he’d had his share of attention and he just didn’t like it or find it relevant.”
“He lived a life of constant contribution,” said June Irwin. “He had a real desire to make this a better community.”
The award is generated by an open fund in the Marshall County Community Foundation. The fund continues to grow through gifts from friends and family of Dr. Guild.  The fund is to be administered by the Guild family.  The initial award will be given this spring.