A pair of community leaders were in the well deserved limelight in Covington June 26.

The City Council selected both the citizen and honorary citizen of the year at that meeting.

Leslie Kae Hamada was selected as the honorary citizen of the year. The award is given to someone who lives near the city, but not within the city limits, and contributes to the community.

Councilman Mark Lanza nominated Hamada and noted her “resume goes on and on.”

Councilwoman Marlla Mhoon said Hamada, “is an inspiration to all.”

Hamada has volunteered her time for many community and youth projects and after years of effort founded the Kent East Hill Kids (Police Activities League) Boxing Club at the Kent Phoenix Academy, an alternative school in the Kent School District.

Lanza and Mhoon both noted how many hours and days Hamada has spent giving her time to the many youth and community projects in Covington, Kent and beyond.

The Citizen of the Year award went to Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Wagner.

Some of the members said they initially wondered whether they should nominate one of their own, but Councilman Jim Scott summed it up best.

“The reason I am here is Jeff Wagner,” Scott said. “What he shows is he has true concern.”

Along with serving on the council, Wagner spends countless hours volunteering his time at nearly every community event in Covington.

Lanza said, “I don’t know if there is anyone else that puts in the time he does.”

The pair received their awards at the council’s meeting Tuesday night. Both will be honored during the Covington Days Grand Parade the morning of Saturday, July 21.