The 62nd Annual Boyertown Area Citizen of the Year Gala was held Saturday, April 9, at the Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles.
The evening honored Mark Malizzi as Citizen of the Year, Robert Rothermel as Outstanding First Responder, Josh Pennington as Outstanding Mentor, and Jordan Wood as Outstanding High School Senior.
“Serving others is nothing new to Mark Malizzi,” said Dawn Johnson, Keynote Speaker, kicking off the Citizen of the Year award presentation.
She highlighted Malizzi’s Thunder Outreach Ministries and Thunder in the Valley efforts. In 2004, the group held the world’s largest food drive – making it into the Guinness Book of World Records for 156,889 pounds of food.
“Mark’s service within Boyertown runs far and wide,” she said. “Mark, every day, seeks out opportunities where he can be a light in the darkness.”
“If we’re doing something in the positive – we’re going it right,” said Mark Malizzi, taking to the podium.
He spoke about how he’s only human, but does the best he can – trying to be kind to everyone he meets.
“It’s neat to see the community rally together to do positive things,” he said. “This is an awesome town.”
He concluded by asking the audience to take time to thank police officers and first responders.
Lori Carnes, 2015 Citizen of the Year, followed tradition by presenting the Citizen of the Year award to the next honoree. Jim Davidheiser, an event organizer, introduced each of the award recipients.
Prior to serving as captain for Boyertown Area Fire & Rescue, Robert Rothermel worked the majority of his adult life as a fire police officer and as captain at Keystone Steam Fire Company.
“I really appreciate the award and will honor it forever,” he said, embracing a short and sweet speech.
High School Senior Jordan Wood has been president of his class and an honor roll student for the entirety of his high school career.
“Looking back at part recipients – it’s really humbling to receive this award,” said Wood.
He named his coaches as the most influential people in his life, and said how it’s true what they say – “you’re a product of everyone in your life.”
“I wouldn’t be who I am today without the people in my life,” he said, “The people that made me, me – mom and dad.”
Currently serving as co-caption of the senior high school wrestling team, Wood is a PIAA state wrestling champion and a multiple-time state finalist. He plans to study engineering at Lehigh University.
“To my wrestling family – it’s been a wild ride,” he said, noting all they have accomplished together. “To the Boyertown community, no matter what you do, need to remember where you came from,” said Wood. “I’m lucky to call Boyertown home.”
Outstanding Mentor Josh Pennington is a technology and engineering teacher at Boyertown Senior High School. He also serves as an advisor for the Technology Student Association statewide competition.
“The whole essence of technology at Boyertown is a great thing,” said Pennington. “Boyertown has made a good effort to keep the Technology Department strong.”
He compared technology education to the industrial arts, and how those had been incorporated and developed within school curriculums.
“The things we’ve done to steer them is really amazing to me. It’s important to keep that alive – they’re important things for our kids to be able to do,” he said. “Not a lot of kids get to do what these kids do.”
He concluded by sharing his hope that the kids will take these skills sets and will contribute to the world, to their communities.
Net proceeds from this year’s Citizen of the Year Gala benefit Colebrookdale Police Department’s Shop with a Cop, Salvation Army’s Thanksgiving Meal, and Boyertown Area Fire & Rescue.
