Communities are interesting things. They’re filled with men and women of all walks of lives and all shapes and sizes.

And, all too often, communities are identified by their well known, most prominent, citizens.

But the reality is that those prominent folks aren’t the glue that holds our community together.

The real winners of our community, the real local heroes are the folks who quietly move through their lives, serving others and putting the greater good ahead of their own desires.

Today, we recognize the 2010 Citizen of the Year Mamie Lee Mazique and nine Unsung Heroes.

Each of those honored is highly deserving of special recognition.

Mazique’s history of both being a leader in our area during the Civil Rights Era and her four decades of work with the area’s children illustrate her community-minded nature.

She epitomizes the spirit of the Citizen of the Year honor by truly making a significant change in the lives of others in the community through her life’s work.

Each of the Unsung Heroes was baffled that someone else would call them a hero. For each of them, their volunteer work is just something they do. It’s nothing special to them. That’s exactly why they deserve such honors.

Our community is filled with everyday heroes who make our community such a special place.

Today, we pause to congratulate a few of them and we hope you’ll join us in celebrating the quiet, everyday heroes of our community.