< PreviousCONGRATS JUDY SLOCUMB AMOCO Federal Credit Union congratulates our Select Partner, The Independence Village’s Executive Director Judy Slocumb and all nominees of the Citizen of the Year. Judy Slocumb Citizen of the Year Nominee 2021! We are so proud of you! From the residents and their families, the staff and the board of directors of Independence Village. 20 | The Daily News | Citizen of the Year Finalists | 2021 In what ways are you involved with the community? I am involved in our community in several ways. First, I have been honored to serve as the executive director for The Independence Village in Texas City for the past 14 years. Our residents have intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, and they are truly part of my family. The Village is their home, but we get the honor of working with them. I have been an active member of the Rotary Club of Texas City since 2008, serving as immediate past president of the club during the pandemic, 2020. Although the pandemic created challenges in how we went about serving others in our community, it was never a question as to whether or not we would serve — we absolutely did! In addition, I was able to serve as a director for the Texas City ISD Foundation for the Future, and I have been an active member of my church, Living Faith Outreach, where I was part of our Praise and Worship Team for the past several years. What do you like most about serving the community? There is something special about serving, and while it may not seem apparent to the naked eye, the life- changing impacts on others are undeniable. Being able to pour love and encouragement into the lives of our residents has truly produced tangible results as I have seen many of our residents become hard- working citizens in our community and even attend College of the Mainland. Not every resident is able to fulfill their independent goal to be self-sufficient, but for me, it is pure joy to see and hear them full of laughter as they play cards together or simply complete an art project to share with their loved ones. Seeing them safe, happy, smiling and content, brings joy that is the true treasure of serving. Read full profile at galvnews.com. 2021 CITIZEN OF THE YEAR FINALISTS JUDY SLOCUMB CITY OF RESIDENCE » Dickinson OCCUPATION » Executive director, The Independence Village 2021 | Citizen of the Year Finalists | The Daily News | 21 In what ways are you involved with the community? I am currently serving on two committees with UTMB: The UTMB School of Medicine Committee – Health Systems Science & Community Service in which I provide a community perspective on community service projects for the course and the UTMB COVID-19 Vaccine Communications Sub-Committee Health Equity Team in which I consult on what community organizations would make great partners and what barriers Galveston County citizens are facing in receiving the vaccine. I am a regular volunteer with Galveston’s Own Farmers Market in its Young Gardeners Program. My partner and I attend Community Garden Days every Saturday we are available, in addition to helping after events such as Winter Storm Uri and, until recently, curated the Galveston County COVID-19 Resource Book, which I created last year around this time to keep the community informed about what resources were available in the wake of the pandemic. It went on to inform on resources for Black Lives Matter, Hurricane Laura, the 2020 elections, Winter Storm Uri and everything in between. I served as board secretary for the 2020-21 term, as lead chair of the council, currently attend meetings, and was very active in their creation and implementation. What motivates you to get involved in your community? I honestly cannot see another way to live. My mom raised me with a hospitable spirit, and I grew up in the service industry that fostered this spirit. I had a wandering college road but landed on psychology as my major with the intention of helping others. It is almost a push from within giving me purpose in my next steps, knowing that I am helping in my small way, to make the world a better place. Read full profile at galvnews.com. 2021 CITIZEN OF THE YEAR FINALISTS JUSTINE ST. CYR CITY OF RESIDENCE » Galveston OCCUPATION » Destination Services Coordinator EASY LIVING, TEXAS GULF STYLE EASY LIVING, TEXAS GULF STYLE MONTHLY APRIL 2018 Roping and rodeo COWBOY CULTURE IS ALIVE AND WELL APRIL 2018 $5.99 COASTMONTHLY.COM 645485005999 GETTING SAUCED POUR YOUR COOKOUT INTO A COCKTAIL AN ISLAND HOOTENANNY KEEPING AN OLD TRADITION ALIVE FISHING FOR KNOWLEDGE EXPERIMENTING WITH AQUAPONICS ESCARAMUZA WOMEN TAKE THE REINS EASY LIVING, TEXAS GULF STYLE MONTHLY SEPTEMBER 2018 DOMO ARIGATO, JAPAN NEW SPIN ON GIN Texas on the table IT DOESN’T GET MORE DOWN HOME THAN THIS SKILLET SNAPPER SIMPLE COOKWARE, SOPHISTICATED DISH SEPTEMBER 2018 $5.99 COASTMONTHLY.COM 645485005999 BRICK BY BRICK RESCUING AN ARCHITECTURAL MASTERPIECE EASY LIVING, TEXAS GULF STYLE MONTHLY FEBRUARY 2 018 Mardi Gras A YEAR-ROUND AFFAIR FEBRUARY 2018 $5.99 COASTMONTHLY.COM 645485005999 FAT TUESDAY FEAST WITH ISLAND FLAIR SHELL GAME REVIVING OYSTER BEDS HISTORY AND MYSTERY BEHIND THE MASK RARE SPECIES MEET A MASTER ROSARIAN EASY LIVING, TEXAS GULF STYLE Waterfront living BEAUTY OF THE GULF DRAWS COASTAL DWELLERS MAY 2018 $5.99 COASTMONTHLY.COM 645485005999PLUS: A MODEL SHIP BUILDER THE SECRET TO A GREAT CRAWFISH BOIL PYRAMID DREAM CULTIVATING A RAINFOREST SALTWATER SOLUTION ANGLERS HELPING ANGLERS MONTHLY MAY 2018 WWW.COASTMONTHLY.COM/SUBSCRIBE22 | The Daily News | Citizen of the Year Finalists | 2021 2020 – Barbara Jane “BJ” Herz (retired educator and fundraiser) 2019 – Chuck and Mary Ellen Doyle (banker, philanthropist) 2018 – Mayor Pat Hallisey (League City) 2017 – Mike Dean (Galveston business owner) 2016 – Steve Mataro (DSW Homes) 2015 – Sam Collins III (businessman and Juneteenth 150th organizer) 2014 – George Mitchell (businessman, philanthropist) 2013 – Dick and Horacene Daugird (Lighthouse Charity Team) 2012 – Tilman Fertitta (Landry’s Inc.) 2011 – Larry Taylor (state senator) 2010 – Mayor Matt Doyle (Texas City) 2009 – Craig Eiland (state representative) 2008 – Dr. Ben Raimer (University of Texas Medical Branch) 2007 – Marine Gunnery Sgt. Phillip A. Jordan, Army Pfc. Ray Joseph Hutchison, Marine Cpl. Wesley J. Canning, Army Spc. Barry Meza, Army Pfc. Nathaniel Given and Army Pfc. Travis Buford (six area soldiers killed while serving in the war in Iraq) 2006 – Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas (Galveston) 2005 – Kyle Janek (state senator) PAST CITIZEN OF THE YEAR RECIPIENTS 2004 – Craig Eiland (state representative) 2003 – Sharon Strain (Galveston Housing Authority) 2002 – Patricia Gray (state representative) 2001 – Tilman Fertitta (Landry’s Inc.) 2000 – Robert L. Moody (American National Insurance Co., Moody Foundation) 1999 – Marc Cuenod (Sealy and Smith Foundation) 1998 – Walter Hall (Citizens State Bank, League City Bank and Trust) 1997 – Alfreda Houston (St. Vincent’s Episcopal House, Galveston Housing Authority) 1996 – Jim Yarbrough (Galveston County judge) 1995 – Betty Massey (Galveston Historical Foundation) 1994 – Charles “Chuck” Doyle (Texas City mayor) 1993 – Dr. Thomas James (University of Texas Medical Branch) 1992 – Mike Martin (state representative) 1991 – Jimmy Hayley (Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce) 1990 – Tom Mackey (Key Metals and Minerals Engineering Corp.) 1989 – George Mitchell (businessman, philanthropist) 1988 – Fletcher Harris (retired businessman, World War II veteran) Barbara “BJ” Herz smiles after being named the 2020 Citizen of the Year during an event Aug. 20 at Sea Star Base Galveston. JENNIFER REYNOLDS/ The Daily News file photoAND THE WINNER IS ... The Citizen of the Year will be revealed during a special sold-out event May 27 at WaterGrove Event Venue in Dickinson. Visit galvnews.com/coy to see who took home top honors.3920 Gulf Fwy S Dickinson, TX 77539 832-861-6351 www.thewatergrove.comNext >