About Davis

Community Awards

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Honoring Members of the Davis Community

The City of Davis offers several awards to recognize individuals, organizations, and businesses for their contributions to the community. Learn more about the various awards, past recipients, and how to make nominations below.

City of Davis Awards
 Other Community Awards

Golden Heart Award

What is the Golden Heart Award?
The Golden Heart Award recognizes exceptional youth in the Davis community. As a result of the death of Andrew Mockus in April 1992, the City of Davis Recreation and Park Commission expanded its commitment to the youth of our community. Forums were held throughout the community to discuss the problems of youth and to brainstorm on how the community could do more to meet the needs of youth. After careful consideration, the Commission suggested the City Council adopt several recommendations. One of the Commission recommendations was to develop the Golden Heart Award to recognize youth for their contributions to the community. The Golden Heart Award was first presented in 1994.
 
What are the award categories?
There are two different categories within the award: the Service Award and the Personal Challenge Award. The Service Award recognizes individuals who have given significant service to the community, their peers, and/or their school. The Personal Challenge Award recognizes individuals who have overcome a significant challenge in their life. The nomination period opens in the fall each year.

Thong Hy Huynh Award

What is the Thong Hy Huynh Award?
The City of Davis Human Relations Commission annually seeks nominations for the Thong Hy Huynh (“tong hi win”) Awards.  The awards are presented once each year in memory of the stabbing death of Davis High School student Thong Hy Huynh on May 4, 1983. The award was established to raise awareness about and to honor community members whose actions exemplify the goals of diversity, community, social justice and equal rights. The Thong Hy Huynh Award was first presented in 1986.
 
What are the selection criteria?
The Thong Hy Huynh Award honors those who promote civil rights and/or civic engagement, promote positive human relations in our multicultural and diverse community, and work improve the quality of life in the City of Davis for residents and visitors..

Environmental Recognition Award

What is the Environmental Recognition Award?
Each year the City of Davis recognizes the environmental contributions of an individual or group, a business, and a non-profit organization that have gone above and beyond to improve the environmental quality of life in and around Davis. Honorees set an example of how to conduct business, set up a home or school environment, and/or live daily in a manner that encourages sustainability and harmony with nature. The Environmental Recognition Award was first presented in 1995.
 
What are the selection criteria?
Selection criteria include the nominee’s actions/achievements address a current environmental concern, whether the nominee has established a record of achievements or actions benefitting the environment, if the nominee’s actions/ achievements show a commitment to continued effort long term, and/or the nominee’s creative implementation or development of an innovative project.

Citizen of the Year Award

What is the Citizen of the Year Award?
The Citizen of the Year Award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding service to the community, over time, in a number of areas. Initiated by L.N. Irwin, it was first awarded in 1944 to C.A. Covell, longtime mayor of Davis, for whom the award was named for many years (the Covell Award).
 
What are the award criteria?
Criteria for selection, as suggested by Irwin, include leadership in civic activities, unselfish service to the community, reliability in following through on commitments, and involvement in a variety of activities. A committee of residents representing various activities in Davis — a different committee each year — select the recipient. The award process is coordinated by the Davis Chamber of Commerce.

Brinley Award

What is the A.G. Brinley Award ?
The A.G. Brinley Award was established by John W. Brinley in 1969 in honor of his father, A.G. "Sam" Brinley. This award recognizes outstanding service in a particular area, such as in the arts, education or health, or in a major project that benefits the community.
 
What are the award criteria?
A committee of residents representing various activities in Davis — a different committee each year — select the recipient. The award process is coordinated by the Davis Chamber of Commerce.