The Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta is proud to announce that the Paris Pierpont Memorial Scholarship has been awarded to a person, who exemplifies the qualities outlined for the Paramedic portion of the scholarship. William “Billy” Smith, of Damariscotta, has accepted the award, which will help enable him to fulfill the criteria for the EMT/Paramedic certification, and serve in Lincoln County.

Smith is well-known in Mid-Coast Maine, originally from the Camden-Rockland area, with a career of public service and safety, extending from the City of Rockland Fire and EMS, to law enforcement with the Damariscotta Police Department.

Smith will become re-certified for Paramedics: the career in which he began and once practiced. Once his first love, the Emergency Medical Services field was only one element of his lifetime mission, which he has accomplished over and again: to give back to the community he loves so much, and, as Smith asserts, “to continue to make a difference.” In addition to his current position with Damariscotta Police Department, Smith volunteers throughout the community with the YMCA, Great Salt Bay School, Damariscotta Pumpkinfest, Trunk or Treat Back to School Bash, and many other events.

After thirty-three years in public safety, when many would be considering retirement, Smith is carving out new paths of service. Damariscotta Police Chief, Jason Warlick, endorsed the selection of Billy Smith as recipient of the Paris Pierpont Memorial Scholarship, with a lengthy list of Billy’s level of community involvement: “You may not have known Billy participated in all these programs, simply because it is not in this nature to boast about his efforts. He simply does it because it’s the right thing to do and he loves watching others smile. Chief Warlick offered a testament of Smith’s integrity by adding: “Billy has saved the lives of countless individuals who’ve battled substance abuse disorders, and has spent many sleepless nights talking people ‘off the ledge’ in mental health crisis.”

Damariscotta Pumpkinfest members join Bobbie and Edwin Pierpont in the honor of providing an opportunity to Smith, whose aspirations and dedication to community mirror those of their late daughter, Paris.

Three other awards will be offered, beginning in late February, as components of the Paris Pierpont Memorial Scholarship. The offerings are for AEMT; EMT, for a high school senior; and EMT, to serve in Lincoln County. Please refer to the Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta website for details in late February, at: damariscottapumpkinfest.com/scholarship.