Each year a recipient of this award is chosen for their contributions to our community. Their personal achievements and service to the Linden Community are so outstanding and distinctive that they deserve the recognition bestowed upon them. They also will serve as the 2013 Cherry Festival Parade Grand Marshal.

This year Janice Colombini was awarded the Citizen of the Year for 2012.

She is a native of the area, born in the early 1960’s and was one of two children growing up on the family’s farm this side of Stockton.

She attended grammar and high school in Stockton and graduated from California State University.

Her working career started in commercial banking and continued into the early 1990’s. She married Jay Colombini in 1987 and they have two really great children.

Janice has been quite active in the Linden Community and service groups … a person who truly thrives on a challenge and a cause. This is just a quick listing of those activities and achievements:

Has been a member of the Linden-Peters Chamber of Commerce for over 15 years and has served as a Chamber board member and as President of the Chamber.

Has served as a 4-H leader for over 10 years and was recognized with the 4-H Judy Waller Award. Served as chairman on numerous 4-H Committees and has served on the 4-H County Council.

Has served as a board member on the Linden Education Foundation.

Has served on the organizing committee for the Holy Cross Roundup… and was instrumental in helping start the auction at the Roundup.

Contributed many volunteer hours on the St. Michael’s Festival.

Has volunteered in excess of 10 years on our Lion’s Club Health Faire.

Has served as a committee member for Citizens Helping Improve Linden District (CHILD) – the school bond committee that successfully passed the school bond in 2002.

Our recipient received the “Golden Apple” award from the San Joaquin County Office of Education for work on the school bond committee.

Has been active in the Annual Waterloo School PTC crab feed.

Has served on both the Linden Elementary School Site Committee and the Linden High School Site Committee.

Has help organize and put on the Linden Elementary PTC Casino Night and Walk-a-thon.

Has served many hours as a Linden Library volunteer.

Has served as a Linden Community Preschool volunteer.

Has taught Catechism at Holy Cross and St. Michael’s.

Has served as a member on the Holy Cross Ladies Guild.

Has served as California Women for Agriculture Fashion Show Chairman and President.

Has served as Master of Ceremonies for the Junior Miss Program, now known as the Distinguished Young Women of Linden, for over 5 years.

And finally, but certainly not least … was co-chair for the 2012 Relay for Life which raised over $100,000 … quite a feat!

Roger took a few moments to share a humorous story about Janice and then asked the audience to join him in recognizing Janice Colombini as Linden Lions’ 60th Citizen of the Year.

Janice was presented with a plaque, flowers and pictures were taken.