On Saturday, Feb. 28, the Grand Ballroom at the Disneyland Hotel was the site of the 40th annual Americana Awards. The ceremony recognized and honored outstanding citizens who have dedicated their time to serving our communities.
The evening was a time to celebrate these community leaders, with all of the proceeds going to the Cypress College Foundation. Pat and Roberta O’ Toole were the recipients of the Citizen of the Year Award for the city of Cypress. And William Meil was the recipient of the Citizen of the Year Award for the city of La Palma.
On Saturday, Feb. 28, the Grand Ballroom at the Disneyland Hotel was the site of the 40th annual Americana Awards. The ceremony recognized and honored outstanding citizens who have dedicated their time to serving our communities.
The evening was a time to celebrate these community leaders, with all of the proceeds going to the Cypress College Foundation. Pat and Roberta O’ Toole were the recipients of the Citizen of the Year Award for the city of Cypress. And William Meil was the recipient of the Citizen of the Year Award for the city of La Palma.
The O’ Tooles started working with the local home owners association, which was a springboard to their extensive community service. They have since been involved with the Community Association Institute, the Rossmoor Neighborhood Watch, Cypress Recreation and Community Services, the Cypress Festival, as well as serving our veterans. Roberta is also involved in the Women’s Club of Cypress and has received numerous awards for her goodwill and service.
“We lost an important battle with the city,” said Roberta O’ Toole. “We went and asked for advice and were told to learn the system and get to know everyone. That’s what we did.”
Did they ever.
“If you want to know what’s going on in the community, attend the city council meetings, it is a great place to start,” said Pat O’ Toole.
If you are interested in serving the community, they are an example to follow.
William Meil is a key figure in the Kiwanis Club of La Palma and in the La Palma Police Department Volunteers in Policing program. His work is ubiquitous within both of these groups, whether it is chairing meetings, creating and distributing monthly duty schedules, serving as treasurer, and serving many other functions for the policing program; or whether it be preparing the meeting room for the Kiwanis Club and restoring it after the meeting, Mr. Weil is a man of service in action.
On top of that, Meil is vital in the operation of the Christmas Food Basket project and had served the local Chamber of Commerce.
In regard to community recognition of his service and being awarded the Citizen of the Year Award, Meil said, “It wasn’t something that I looked for or thought would happen. The award ceremony was a nice night and I am glad and honored to be a part of it.”
Upwards of 500 people attended the event, from honorees and their guests to mayors and city council members. Notable faculty and staff of Cypress College and past recipients were also in attendance. Everyone was in their best attire, tuxedos and formal dresses. The night was truly special.
There was socializing and a silent auction to kick off the night. Attendees had the chance to bid on game tickets, off-road vehicles, uniquely designed electric guitars, among many other splendid items. After an hour and a half of mingling and bidding, everyone entered the Grand Ballroom to be seated at their assigned tables.
Once seated, people were quickly standing again for the singing of our national anthem and a rendition of “The House I Live In (That’s America to Me).”
The Cypress College Americana All-Stars took up the entertainment from there, providing excellent live music until master of ceremonies, Phil Hulett, introduced Jeanette Vasquez, who gave a moving speech. Vasquez is a direct beneficiary and success story of the Cypress College Foundation.
This speech was followed by a greeting from the Americana Chair, Jenelle Bader, and by a greeting from Cypress College President Dr. Robert Simpson.
The menu was Italian inspired and the first course of a four course meal swiftly arrived at the tables, roasted cauliflower soup. The second course was a burrata and tomato salad. By the time the salad came to the tables, the live auction was indeed live. This salad was followed by the main course, a filet of beef and lemon marinated jumbo shrimp.
And to top off the marvelous meal, vanilla bean panna cotta, peach compote and biscotti was served as dessert. By this time, bidding was complete and most folks were settled into the night, ready to honor the deserving citizens of the year.
The honorees walked on stage to a round of applause. Each was introduced one by one or as a couple and escorted by a mayor or city council member of their respective cities. A brief, pre-recorded acceptance speech by each recipient was displayed on two large video screens that were located on both sides of the stage.
With every introduction, there were loud cheers from different sections of the ballroom. And each recipient was equally gracious in receiving their award. The night concluded with Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens giving her acceptance speech for being chosen for the 2015 Americana Awards Woman of the Year honor. She gave a great speech that tied the idea of community service and the night together.
Other recipients for Citizen of the Year included: Joseph and Laura Rodehaver of Buena Park, Reon Boydstun Howard of Anaheim, Debbie and Mark Mahoney of Garden Grove, Tom Barclay of Los Alamitos/Rossmoor, Dee Carey of Seal Beach, and Debbie and Joel Greer of Stanton.