It was with great honor that the Citizen of the Year Committee selected this amazing woman from the list of many worthy nominees to be presented the 2019 Holly Springs Citizen of the Year Award at Hollyfest this past October at Sugg Farm.
The Committee, which is comprised of past honorees from over the past 20 years, carefully reviewed each submitted nomination from the general public. Each year the competition is tough, as so many people work diligently to better their community. The Committee secretly votes with just the president of the committee tallying the votes. The past year’s honoree, Jimmy Cobb, presented this year’s winner. It usually is a surprise, or we try to keep it a secret at best, working behind the scenes to gather the honoree’s family and close friends to be present at the award ceremony.
This year’s Citizen of the Year, Wanda Holloway, has been an active community volunteer since her retirement from her work with the State of North Carolina. A long-term member of the Holly Springs Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, she recently ended 13 years of service with recognition from the Mayor and Town Council at the July 16, 2019 Council meeting.
She has served Holly Springs for the past 10 years as the distribution coordinator and board of director’s member with the Holly Springs Food Cupboard. She can be found each week assisting in the distribution of food to those in need.
A talented singer, she sings in the choir at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Apex where she is also on the planning committee for their Vacation Bible School, and has directed their youth and adult arts, crafts and music programs for decades.
She shares her musical talents not only in her church, but also on television, at various festivals and in local theater. She has performed in the local production of Finding Patience and in the Christmas production of Black Nativity. She has also has recorded an inspirational gospel album titled I’LL NEVER TURN MY BACK ON JESUS which can be found on iTunes.
It is people such as Wanda that have made and continue to make Holly Springs a wonderful place to live. Folks like Wanda can be found “behind the scenes” with sleeves rolled up serving with a smile and a cheerful heart. You seldom see them in the spotlight or boasting of accomplishments. They are the backbone of our civic and non-profit organizations. Their reward is watching their labors make a difference in their hometown.
Wanda Holloway, we salute and thank you for your dedication to the improvement of Holly Springs.
