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.
Joseph and Laura Rodehaver were the recipients of the Citizen of the Year Award for the city of Buena Park.
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.
Joseph and Laura Rodehaver were the recipients of the Citizen of the Year Award for the city of Buena Park.
These two community leaders are joined at the hip, always participating in community service events together. They have both served as president of the Lions Club and served in executive roles with the Buena Park Historical Society and with Silverado Days. Laura has also served as commissioner and chairman of the Buena Park Environmental and Beautification Commission.
They have been honored before, in 2011, as Lions of the Year. But that is not is why they serve. “We do not do it for the recognition or honor, we are just blessed and want to give back. We never expect this,” said Mr. Rodehaver.
Every year, in addition to the all of their community service, the Rodehavers share thousands of dollars in grants to Buena Park High School Athletics, Boys & Girls Club, Buena Park Youth Theatre, the city’s Parks and Recreation and other charitable groups.
“To see the smile on the children’s faces makes it all worth it,” said Mrs. Rodehaver.
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. Ms. 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 pannacotta, 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, prerecorded 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 recognized as the 2015 Americana Awards Woman of the Year recipient. Hutchens 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, Pat and Roberta O’ Toole of Cypress, Debbie and Mark Mahoney of Garden Grove, William Meil of La Palma, Tom Barclay of Los Alamitos/Rossmoor, Dee Carey of Seal Beach, and Debbie and Joel Greer of Stanton.
