The man who invited Charlton Heston to the SCERA Theatre is the first to receive the Citizen of the Decade award given by the Kiwanis Club.
Norman Nielsen, president of the SCERA organization and president and producer of the Miss Utah pageant, is the recipient.Paul Taylor, local Kiwanis Club president, said the club has given an award annually to a Citizen of the Year. "We felt that it was particularly appropriate to conclude the decade of the '80s with a special award to one outstanding person who exemplified community service throughout the past 10 years," Taylor said.
Nielsen has headed the Sharon Community Education and Recreation Association organization for nine years. During this time it has renovated the SCERA Showhouse, including installation of quality sound and movie equipment.
He planned and developed the SCERA Shell, an outdoor amphitheater, and originated Family City, USA, which is a sponsoring agent that assists groups in providing year-round quality entertainment.
Nielsen said SCERA began during the Depression. It was created to promote quality entertainment as well as good cultural arts and educational programs.
"As a boy growing up in Orem, the SCERA (Theatre) was an integral part of my life." He attended movies, shows and church meetings at the theater. During his high school years he sang the "Messiah" at the SCERA.
He said he felt a strong desire to carry on SCERA's tradition of building the quality of life in Orem.
"He is very conscientious of keeping Orem family-oriented and is known for his dedication to the community," said Joyce Clark, a member of the Kiwanis board of directors.
Nielsen has also made his mark on the Miss Utah and Miss America pageants. He has served as president of the Miss Utah Pageant, which he has produced with his wife, Rosanne, for the past 15 years. He is a former president of the National Association of Miss America State Pageants.
During that year he set up a $500 scholarship fund for a Utah contestant who gave outstanding community service. Six other states adopted this idea. Last year the Miss America pageant picked up on the idea and offered a $10,000 Quality of Life award to a contestant for community service. This year a contestant from each state will receive a $1,000 reward for community service.
"That all started right here in Orem, Utah," Rosanne Nielsen said. "He knows how to make things happen."
Norman Nielsen said he was surprised to receive the award. "It serves as a motivator to move forward and try to do more," he said.