The Citizen of the Year award was first handed out in 1970. The list of recipients includes a doctor, librarian, newspaper publisher, and even brothers. For the Taylor and Brown families, it has become a family tradition, with generations of family members receiving the honor.

The voting committee meets in mid-June to review and vote. The recipient receives an engraved plaque, printed and framed certificate, and will be featured in the 2022 Lighthouse festival parade on Sept. 10.

The Mukilteo Kiwanis is once again sponsoring the award, but it is not a Kiwanis Award.

Award facts

The first award was given out in 1970. It has been awarded annually with the exception of two years – 1971 and 1985. This year’s winner will be the 63rd recipient.

In some years, more than one person won, such as in 2021 when Dan and Rachel Kittle were named co-Citizens of the Year. This has happened a total of 11 times – 12 if you include 1977’s winner, the Mukilteo Volunteer Firemen.

Some families have been represented more than once. The Taylors lead the way with four winners, and the Browns, Colliers, Coffins, Conkles, Kidds, and Ameses all have multiple winners as well.

Past award winners

1970 – George Losvar/David Burklund

1972 – Mrs. Bartle Kane

1973 – Mrs. Richard Pallas/Mrs.

Randall Gersch

1974 – Jack Gribble/Wallace Brodniak

1975 – Orin Fry/Paul Kimball

1976 – Dr. and Mrs. Raymond Coffin

1977 – Mukilteo Volunteer Firemen

1978 – MaryLou Morrow/”Jinks” Losvar Hitchcock

1979 – Dick Taylor/Ed Taylor

1980 – Larry Corbaley

1981 – Helen Wilkes

1982 – Emory Cole

1983 – Roger Stam

1984 – Chuck Davis

1986 – Tom Bannister

1987 – Nancy Titus

1988 – Bill Scheller

1989 – Lois Livingston

1990 – Opal McConnell

1991 – Carol Goldberg

1992 – Mim Loree

1993 – Bob McBride

1994 – Helen Merriman

1995 – Lois Bellemans Brown

1996 – Mike Daffron

1997 – Jeanie James

1998 – Linda Murray

1999 – Helen Conway

2000 – Chris Wilson

2001 – Earl “Skip” Kidd/Lynette Gardiner-Kidd

2002 – Bruce Brown

2003 – Pam Glasco

2004 – Tim Taylor

2005 – Ann Collier

2006 – Joann and Larry Ames

2007 – Don Doran

2008 – Paul Archipley

2009 – Tony McNulty

2010 – Ann Jordan

2011 – Elizabeth Erickson

2012 – Steve and Darlene Conkle

2013 – Kathy Wisbeck

2014 – John Collier

2014 – Jim Brice (posthumously awarded)

2015 – Stan Lundgaard

2016 – Debra Bordsen

2017 – Pam Taylor

2018 – Nhi Pham

2019 – Matt Martin

2020 – Dode Carlson

2021 – Dan and Rachel Kittle

2022 – Tim Ellis