Citizen of the Year

Since 2004, the City of Yorba Linda has honored a member of the community who provides uncommon and outstanding volunteer service, devoting his or her time and talent to making our community a better place to live and work through the Citizen of the Year recognition.     

Nomination Information

The City is no longer accepting nominations for the 2023 Citizen of the Year. The recipient will be notified and announced publicly at the State of the City on Wednesday, October 18.

For more information about the nomination criteria that will be used to select the Citizen of the Year, please review the information below:  

Nomination Criteria

To be nominated for the Citizen of the Year, the nominee must:

  • Be an individual residing in Yorba Linda;
  • Currently participate in humanitarian/volunteer activities that make a difference in the City of Yorba Linda and/or the community at large. Special consideration will be given to nominees whose volunteer work directly benefits Yorba Linda and/or brings significant recognition to the City;
  • Be an exceptional role model and have an active interest in the betterment of Yorba Linda; and
  • Must not be a current City of Yorba Linda employee or a current elected or appointed official.

Selection Process

  • Completed nomination forms received by the deadline will be carefully reviewed by the Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Committee, which is comprised of the Mayor and a representative from each of the City’s four Commissions.
  • The Committee will consider all nominees who meet or exceed the nomination criteria and will then select the Citizen of the Year. 
  • In early October, notification letters will be sent to all nominators, and the recipient will be notified.
  • The individual selected as this year’s recipient will be honored at the annual Mayor's State of the City Address held at the Nixon Presidential Library and Birthplace in the fall.

Additional Information

For additional information, please contact Geoff Spencer at 714-961-7113 or send him an email.

Past Citizen of the Year Recipients

Year Recipient
2022 Edie Israel
2021 Kristen You
2020 Cindy De Mint
2019 Cindy Scott
2018 Bridget Blehm
2017 Kathy Rhodes-Hornsby
2016 Betty Gillaspy
2015 Dale Madsen
2014 Lynne Yauger
2013 DeeDee Friedrich
2012 Dorothy Equitz
2011 Michael Shanahan
2010 Jan Duwe
2009 Viola Majors
2008 Dorothy Wallingsford
2007 Julie Astle
2006 Vince Campion
2005 Norma Keating
2004 Paul Armstrong