A pillar of the community for many years, Sam B. Hay Jr.'s calm and steady presence on the Board of Education in the 1960s was instrumental in setting the tone for a peaceful integration of the county's school system. For years he has provided support to a number of community institutions including The Washington Street Community Center and The Arts Association in Newton County and in doing so, set the example that his children and grandchildren follow to this day. Hay was honored for his years of service Thursday night with the R.O. Arnold Award at the Annual Meeting of The Covington/Newton