< PreviousOUTDOORS: INDOORS: SHOPPING: TREATS&SWEETS: NIGHTLIFE&ENTERRAINMENT: TexasCity-LaMarqueChamber supportstheseawesomeCitizens! www.TCLMchamber.com 10 | The Daily News | Citizen of the Year Finalists | 2022 In what ways are you involved with the community? I am a lifelong member of Wesley Tabernacle United Methodist Church. There I am chairperson of Christian Education, member of the Administrative Board, member of the United Women in Faith and member of Church Women United. I am part of the Hands On Ministry, which feeds the community lunch every Monday. I am in the Texas Peer Assistance Program for Nurses (TPAPN). I advocate for nurses with mental health issues, alcohol and/or drug problems by helping them keep their license/jobs and return to safe practice. It is a three-year program, and I have been doing this for 20 years. ... (Editor’s note: Winifred Langham’s response trimmed for space. Read more about her many contributions to the community online.) What do you like most about serving the community? I enjoy helping people. I have done so for more than 40 years as a nurse. I think that by helping in the community, I’m helping myself as well. If not for God’s grace, there go I. What motivates you to get involved in your community? I am motivated by the need of individuals, needs of children, needs of my community. If not me … who? If not now … when? What does it mean to be named a finalist for Citizen of the Year? I find it hard to talk about what I do for people and am so greatly honored to be considered. Such a shock that someone salutes you for doing what we have been taught. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Why do you think it’s important to give back to the community? It is important to give back to the community because it is required of those who have much to give much. It doesn’t have to be money; it can be time, skills, experiences. All of which can be shared with our brothers and sisters in the community. The Bible says there will always be poor among you, and Christ says if you do unto the least of your brethren, you do unto him. If you could go back in time and do one thing over, what would that be? If I could go back in time, I don’t think I would do anything over. My life experiences — good and bad — have made me who I am today. What’s something that most people don’t know about you? Most people don’t know I used to be a DJ with my father (Ted Langham) on KILE 1400 on your radio dial in the basement of the Hotel Galvez. Read full profile at galvnews.com. 2022 CITIZEN OF THE YEAR FINALISTS WINIFRED LANGHAM CITY OF RESIDENCE » Texas City OCCUPATION » Retired registered nurse 2022 | Citizen of the Year Finalists | The Daily News | 11 In what ways are you involved with the community? I am passionate about serving and advocating for three communities because each of these groups has directly impacted my life directly: military veterans, children who have experienced abuse and neglect, and representing the growing Hispanic/Latino population in Galveston County. As a veteran of the U.S. Navy, I returned home to face the challenge of transitioning from warrior to civilian and realized the lack of resources available in our county for men and women who served. With the support of local veterans and community leaders, we founded the non-profit Operation Honor Our Local Veterans in 2019. Our mission is veterans serving and connecting veterans of Galveston County to resources, support and recovery. I’m an advocate of CASA of Galveston County because I was introduced to the evils of abuse from a female friend who had to endure these malicious acts from a family member for years. She opened up to me and we were able to open the door to help. You don’t realize how close to home abuse and neglect is until someone in your own life pours out their pain to you. It is humbling to be a part of the CASA mission, and there is a major need for men to volunteer and even a greater need for men of color. There is no easy way to describe the lack of representation of Hispanic/Latino leaders in school districts, executive boards, nonprofit foundation boards, faith-based organizations and elected office. It is important that I take ownership of this gap and go not where I am needed but rather go were my people have no voice. Today, more than ever, it is critical to offer the lens of the fastest growing demographic in order to improve the mission of those leading change. What do you like most about serving the community? Lifting others up. Nelson Mandela said it best: “each one teach one.” It is a duty and responsibility, that I do not take lightly, to serve the community by inspiring others through my actions. My travels have taken me to the top of Mt. Fuji, to the prison that held Mandela, and an auditorium to hear the teachings of the Dalai Lama. These rewarding experiences cannot be left for oneself but rather transformed to help my neighbor prosper by serving them. This is the joy of serving my community. What motivates you to get involved in your community? I am motivated by those who mentored, molded and validated my talent and gits that I could offer to others as continued to grow. No one wins alone, and many of us doubt our abilities as we take on the changing world. My wife is one of my greatest motivators. Without her, I am a good citizen. With her, I am a great father, husband and community leader. Read full profile at galvnews.com. 2022 CITIZEN OF THE YEAR FINALISTS FIDENCIO LEIJA JR. CITY OF RESIDENCE » Santa Fe OCCUPATION » Consultant and insurance advisor In what ways are you involved with the community? I am the steward of the ever- growing Galveston’s Own Farmers Market, which is centered in food access, food education and the local food economy. I am in my second term as District D councilwoman for the city of La Marque. With my husband, I own Moon Dog Farms, a small vegetable and flower farm in Santa Fe using small- scale organic practices. In all my work, I see myself as a steward of things that grow — families, small businesses, plants, students, connections between strangers and beyond. What do you like most about serving the community? Great things are accomplished through collaboration, whether it be between people or between people and nature. I’m lucky enough to have both types of connection as part of my daily life. I thrive on seeing folks happy because of initiatives that I’ve nurtured with my energy and time, and I love being a part of a solution, to even the tiniest of problems. It is a privilege to observe people and situations that only need a bit more encouragement or resources in order to bloom, and it is a privilege I enjoy to the fullest. Hearing a third-grade boy exclaim to his peers at the lunchtable “Eat this lettuce — I grew it!” is magical. Watching a woman I appointed to a city commission grow in confidence, take her own ideas and turn them into real, measurable change for our town is empowering. Watching families with completely different stories, backgrounds (and wallet sizes) enjoy the same carrots grown by my farm — it’s everything. What motivates you to get involved in your community? Energy is a powerful resource, and we only get so much of it. I believe we should invest that energy into ourselves, our families and in the world around us. Time and time again I’m bowled over by how impactful simple human energy is on every aspect of our lives. When that energy is focused on improving the world around us, it’s limitless. What does it mean to be named a finalist for Citizen of the Year? I’m humbled to receive this recognition, and I’ll take any opportunity that allows me to encourage folks to 1) eat fresh food, 2) put their hands in some dirt, 3) vote in local elections, 4) attend an occasional council meeting and introduce themselves to their city representatives and look ‘em in the eye and 5) do tiny good things often because they’re the stuff of big good things. Why do you think it’s important to give back to the community? We’re all in one another’s orbit. It feels physically/emotionally good to help others, and, eventually, all of us need support at different seasons in our life. Read full profile at galvnews.com. CASEY MCAULIFFE CITY OF RESIDENCE » La Marque OCCUPATION » Executive director12 | The Daily News | Citizen of the Year Finalists | 2022 In what ways are you involved with the community? At age 80, I have served my country, my state and my city for more than 60 years as a U.S. Marine, a Texas legislator, GISD school board president, mayor pro- tem of Galveston, and chairman/member of numerous business, civic and social organizations. Among my community honors, I was named the Outstanding Junior Citizen in 1975, inducted into the Ball High Wall of Fame in 1989, and received the Boy Scout Golden Eagle Award and the George P. Mitchell Mardi Gras Award in 2012. I’ve served my church (Trinity Episcopal) in all capacities, including Senior Warden and member of the Vestry. I am also very proud to have quietly held key leadership positions in the fundraising, construction and development of the Galveston County Vietnam Memorial at Moody Gardens (a four-year project completed in 1992); the relocation of the Vietnam Memorial and rebuilding in its entirety (2003); the building of the 76th Man Memorial at Moody Gardens (2012); the Guy Taylor Memorial at 21st and Postoffice streets (2018); and the Korean War Memorial now being built at the ANICO plaza at 20th and Mechanic/Market streets (to be completed in 2022). My degrees include a BBA, a Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD) and a Master of Laws (LLM) in International Economic Law. I have not slowed down a bit and look forward to several more healthy decades of community work on Galveston Island. What do you like most about serving the community? When younger, I must admit that selfish motives, such as self-promotion and ego boosts, were foremost in my civic and charitable work. That all changed over time. I eventually realized that helping people was very fulfilling to me as well as beneficial to my community. I also learned that doing things behind the scenes without fanfare was a lot more satisfying than getting attention for it. In my involvement in the community and workplace, it means the world to me, too, to give credit to the people who actually deserve it. What motivates you to get involved in your community? I love being a Galvestonian and, of course, a proud Texan. Whatever I can do to improve the island is and has always been a big-time motivating factor for me. What does it mean to be named a finalist for Citizen of the Year? It’s nice. I was named Junior Citizen of the Year in 1975 when the Jaycees and Chamber of Commerce conducted a similar program. That honor was especially meaningful to me at the time, as I had strived very hard to put my mindless college fraternity boy silliness behind me and become the kind of person my parents hoped I would. Read full profile at galvnews.com. 2022 CITIZEN OF THE YEAR FINALISTS DOUG MCLEOD CITY OF RESIDENCE » Galveston OCCUPATION » Attorney/investments In what ways are you involved with the community? For 41 years, I dedicated my life to serving the students, parents, faculty and staff of Texas City ISD. These were the most rewarding years of my life because through my service to the district, I was able to help guide the district through some of its most challenging days while fighting for teachers, who, in my opinion, are the unsung heroes of our time, especially given the unprecedented demands placed on them each day. Advocating for our teachers and children remains a top priority for me, which is why, since retiring last year, I have volunteered to serve on the board of TCISD’s Foundation for the Future, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds to support educational programs for the teachers and students of TCISD. In addition, I currently serve as vice chair of the Texas City Recreation and Tourism Board and am a member of the Texas City Mayor’s Community Matters Committee. I am also a board member of the Save Our Seniors organization, which works to provide support for Galveston County senior citizens. What do you like most about serving the community? Serving the community is rewarding because it’s a way for me to contribute to something that is greater than myself. It’s an opportunity to use my skills, knowledge and experiences to support causes that are important to me — such as education — and to help make a positive impact on the lives of those around me. It is also a way for me to meet, learn from and work with like-minded individuals who share my passion for giving back. What motivates you to get involved in your community? I care deeply about our community’s teachers and students and ensuring they have the support and resources they need to succeed. That is why I continue to be involved in organizations such as TCISD’s Foundation for the Future, which is dedicated to fostering relationships between the school district and community members and alumni in an effort to generate funds to support our teachers’ and students’ programs and initiatives. As a mother, grandmother and former educator, I understand that our children are our most valuable asset; they are the future. I want to do my part to make sure that our community leaders are mindful of that fact and how the decisions they make today impact the future. That is largely why I volunteer to serve on the Mayor’s Community Matters Committee and the Texas City Recreation and Tourism Board. Read full profile at galvnews.com. SUSAN MYERS CITY OF RESIDENCE » Texas City OCCUPATION » Retired educator 2022 | Citizen of the Year Finalists | The Daily News | 13 In what ways are you involved with the community? Athletic director of Galveston Hurricanes youth sports, director of Galveston Hurricane Baseball, coach in Island Little League Baseball, coach Galveston youth basketball, coach Hitchcock youth basketball, mentor Galveston youth in after-school ACE Program at Ball High. What do you like most about serving the community? Connecting with children and making life changes with them. Introducing to them a world of opportunities that they can reach while instilling the desire in them to reach outside of their immediate world. When I see a child I worked with and hear from them that they will be going to college or they share a dream with me, I realize that my role in this community does make a difference. What motivates you to get involved in your community? My motivation comes from my own childhood. My brother and I raised ourselves. My mother worked all the time to pay bills. Were it not for the mentors, coaches, teachers and other adults in my life, there is no telling how I could have turned out. We lived in the projects and were surrounded by gangs, violence and drugs. To me it was just a normal way of life until people involved in my life made me see that this way of life was not normal, and they made me want a better life and encouraged me to work for a better life. My experiences and success motivates me to help others the way I was helped. What does it mean to be named a finalist for Citizen of the Year? I am humbled to be named a finalist for Citizen of the Year by The Galveston County Daily News. Teaching, coaching, mentoring all come to me naturally. I actually feel it is my duty since I was helped so much growing up. Being recognized for doing things that fulfill me by allowing to pay back for the help that I was given seems almost embarrassing. Yet, I am grateful because this recognition validates that I am making a difference. Why do you think it’s important to give back to the community? Volunteering with the youth of Galveston County is something I am passionate about. Making connections with the youth of my community through sports gives me a sense of purpose. I wake up each day knowing that I am making a difference in children’s lives, which makes a difference in my community. When dealing with troubled children, I think if I make a difference that day with that child, I could possibly change this child’s trajectory in life, which will impact my community as well. Read full profile at galvnews.com. 2022 CITIZEN OF THE YEAR FINALISTS ROSHAWN POPE CITY OF RESIDENCE » Texas City OCCUPATION » Behavior specialist/interventionist In what ways are you involved with the community? I am the director of BioMed and STEM at Ball High School and an adjunct professor for Galveston College. One of my favorite things about working at Ball High School is that we are involved in numerous community events throughout the year, such as the Night to Shine parade for special needs students throughout Galveston County, a blanket drive for The Salvation Army, water drives for Bolivar, and change drives to raise money for special causes to name a few. I am also involved in Leadership Galveston with the Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce, helping the past few years for its annual Helping Hands day of giving back to the community. What do you like most about serving the community? The best thing about serving the community is the opportunity to help others. For me, another great thing about serving the community is collaborating with staff members to teach young adults about giving back to the community in which we live, whether it be volunteering time at various events throughout the island, or raising money for a cause. My hope is that by teaching these young adults about giving back, they will continue to serve the community and will one day teach their own children for generations to come. What motivates you to get involved in your community? What motivates me to get involved in the community are the staff and students I serve at Ball High, Galveston College and my own two daughters. I strive to be an encouraging role model for my students and my own children, and working with them each day motivates me to want to always work for a better community and home for each of them. What does it mean to be named a finalist for Citizen of the Year? It is a bit surreal. I am so fortunate to be surrounded by amazing teachers, staff, students, community members and family who all have the same mindset for serving the community and our students. We all understand that we are part of a bigger picture, and work together daily to make island life better for all stakeholders. Why do you think it’s important to give back to the community? I think it is important to give back to the community because you never know how even the smallest gesture can change someone’s life. What’s something that most people don’t know about you? Most people don’t know that I have taught a wide range of students, from 5 year olds in kindergarten all the way through students getting their associate degrees at Galveston College! Read full profile at galvnews.com. JULIA RAMIREZ CITY OF RESIDENCE » Texas City OCCUPATION » Educator14 | The Daily News | Citizen of the Year Finalists | 2022 In what ways are you involved with the community? Co-founder of My Sister’s Keeper Breast Cancer Awareness Organization and Rose Ministries Inc., provide financial/medical services to a community member in need every quarter, motivational speaker to educate on breast cancer at various community events, volunteer in various committees at Greater St. Matthews Baptist Church, support group leader for breast cancer. What do you like most about serving the community? Being able to give back and reach out to others, to be a support system and provide assistance to those in need. What motivates you to get involved in your community? Being that I am a cancer survivor, it can be a lonely road, so it motivates me to be there when someone needs a helping hand or just an ear to listen. What does it mean to be named a finalist for Citizen of the Year? It is very inspiring to continue the work that I am doing. It shows that my work is not in vain and I am honored to be recognized because the work that I do was a vision given to me from God, so I am honored to do God’s work! Why do you think it’s important to give back to the community? It’s important because it allows you to be a vessel for others. Love is essential, and when we donate our time to the community, we are showing God’s love to others. If you could go back in time and do one thing over, what would that be? I would have finished nursing school because I have been given the gift to help and aid people of the community. What’s something that most people don’t know about you? I am an interior decorator. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? “Never give up what’s good for what’s good maybe,” by my grandmother Mable Williams 2022 CITIZEN OF THE YEAR FINALISTS KAREN ROSE CITY OF RESIDENCE » Texas City OCCUPATION » Cosmetologist In what ways are you involved with the community? My team at UTMB innovated an antibody testing method that had enabled the development of the first COVID vaccine from Pfizer. What do you like most about serving the community? It is so rewarding to see the impact of our research on the success of COVID vaccine and public health. What motivates you to get involved in your community? The current COVID pandemic motivates me and UTMB teams to prepare for future pandemics through innovative research. What does it mean to be named a finalist for Citizen of the Year? I am humbled to be named as a finalist for Citizen of the Year. This is a recognition of UTMB’s excellence in research and the generous support from the Galveston community. Why do you think it’s important to give back to the community? Individuals thrive with their communities. Together with our colleagues at UTMB, we will continue innovating medicines to extend and improve human life. If you could go back in time and do one thing over, what would that be? UTMB is such a premier institution in infectious disease research. I wish I would have joined earlier. What’s something that most people don’t know about you? I’m an immigrant who has enormously benefited from this country and who is trying to give back to the community through our innovative research. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members. DR. PEI-YONG SHI CITY OF RESIDENCE » Galveston OCCUPATION » Professor “THE GREATNESS OF A COMMUNITY IS MOST ACCURATELY MEASURED BY THE COMPASSIONATE ACTIONS OF ITS MEMBERS.” “LOVE IS ESSENTIAL, AND WHEN WE DONATE OUR TIME TO THE COMMUNITY, WE ARE SHOWING GOD’S LOVE TO OTHERS.”Congratulations on being a Citizen of the Year finalist Thank you for your dedication to vaccine research, drug discovery and your work that enabled the rapid development of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. At the University of Texas Medical Branch, we are proud and honored to have you as a leader and member of our team. Dr. Pei-Yong Shi Professor, John Sealy Distinguished Chair in Innovations in Molecular Biology Director, Sealy Institute for Drug Discovery Associate Chief Research Officer Vice President for Research Innovation Vice Chair for Innovation and Commercialization 2022 | Citizen of the Year Finalists | The Daily News | 15 In what ways are you involved with the community? I work full time as a recreation manager for the city of Galveston, and I’ve been with the city for more than 23 years. I love my job because I get to interact with the community every day. The youth of today are so important to me, so trying to help them in whatever way I can on a daily basis is what makes my job so rewarding. When I am not at work, I am involved in my church, Jerusalem Baptist, as the head matron of the youth department, Baptism Committee, and the Condolence Committee. I also am the director of a group of praise dancers, Wright Cuney Angels, which keeps me busy. I am a mentor to young girls and take care of the senior citizens in Galveston and at church. What do you like most about serving the community? Being able to help someone, being a positive role model, making a difference in someone’s life. I want our community continue to improve and grow Stronger Together. What motivates you to get involved in your community? I am a BOI and for more than 60 years grew up in this community. This is my community. I am motivated every day working with youth, teens and senior citizens. Our community is diverse, inclusive and resilient. What does it mean to be named a finalist for Citizen of the Year? I am honored. May the work I’ve done speak for me. Why do you think it’s important to give back to the community? My community has provided me with opportunities, and I want to be able to provide back to others. You never know what may happen tomorrow. We only have this life to make a positive impact, and I feel drawn to help strengthen my community and everyone I interact with. If you could go back in time and do one thing over, what would that be? I’m proud of the work I’ve done in my life. If I had a opportunity to I would like to go back and finish earning my college degree. What’s something that most people don’t know about you? I love dem Cowboys. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? My mother, the late “Ms. Beans,” would always say, “Be careful how you go up the ladder because you never know who will be there to catch you if you fall.” 2022 CITIZEN OF THE YEAR FINALISTS SHELIA SMITH CITY OF RESIDENCE » Texas City OCCUPATION » Recreation manager “YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT MAY HAPPEN TOMORROW. WE ONLY HAVE THIS LIFE TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT ...”2300 SHIP MECHANIC ROW ST. GALVESTON, TEXAS - FOR RESERVATIONS CALL 409.763.0300 OR VISIT WWW.THETREMONTHOUSE.COM YOUR FOREVER STARTS HERE. 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