Queen Creek honors 2026 Citizen Leadership Institute graduates

The Queen Creek Town Council recently recognized the 42 graduates of the 2026 Queen Creek Citizen Leadership Institute.

At its May 6 meeting, Mayor Julia Wheatley congratulated the graduates for completing the program and for their commitment to learning more about the community and getting involved, according to a town press release. 

Certificates were presented to the following graduates:

• Alesha Henderson
• Amanda Godfrey
• Amy Montoya
• Ashley Stwertnik
• Austin Chase
• Bettye Williams
• Charles McCoy
• Crystal Benzing
• Debbie Cohen
• Declan Wall
• Dennis Miller
• Dwayne Lang
• Eldon Hastings
• Gretchen Thompson
• Holly Dunn
• Jason Herbert
• Jeanne Brandner
• Jennifer McDonald
• John McGowan
• Johnny Ortiz
• Julie Mason
• Kara Echavarria
• Kelly Vickrey
• Kim Peterson
• Lee Youngs
• Mia Elenes
• Micah Taotafa
• Michael Williams
• Nicole Gray
• Nikki Stratton
• Nina Parnian
• Nistha Shah
• Pat Aritz
• Paula Keys-McCoy
• Phylece Scott
• Renee Abelseth
• Ronica Holsinger
• Shannon Kellso
• Sissy Del Vecchio
• Sonia Kakkar
• Sunny Zhao
• Yolanda White Johnson

Now in its 31^st year, the Citizen Leadership Institute has graduated more than 800 participants.

The program consists of 12 sessions where participants learn about local issues and how local government works. They also get to know the mayor and council members, town staff and other local leaders while exploring topics ranging from planning and zoning to economic development and transportation.

Throughout the 2026 program, participants contributed 183 volunteer hours and 1,797 total hours through class participation, facility tours, group projects and volunteer service.

To graduate, participants must attend at least seven sessions, the project presentation practice night, one town council meeting, one town committee or commission meeting, and participate in one volunteer activity and one group project.

In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, the following group projects were completed this year:

Supporting Roots N’ Boots Volunteer Efforts: Participants partnered with the long-standing community event to expand volunteer recruitment and enhance the volunteer experience. Through targeted outreach, partnerships and automations to the online sign-up process, the group exceeded its goal of 250 volunteers by securing more than 300 volunteers, contributing more than 1,500 hours of service. The team also developed a sustainable system with additional communication tools and data tracking to support future events.

America 250 Digital Flipbook-The Story of Queen Creek: In recognition of America’s 250th anniversary, participants created a digital document showcasing the history of the Queen Creek area. The project organizes the community’s evolution into distinct eras, highlighting its transformation from ancestral lands to a modern town, while also looking ahead to the future.

Senior Celebration-America 250: Participants hosted an event for local seniors celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. The program included patriotic music, trivia, interactive activities and prizes, creating an opportunity for connection, reflection and community engagement.

Voices of Queen Creek: This project brought local history to life at the recent Spring into QC event through a blend of storytelling, physical displays and artificial intelligence. Partnering with the San Tan Historical Society Museum, participants engaged in an immersive experience that allowed them to hear stories from Queen Creek’s past in a new and interactive way.

The purpose of the Queen Creek Citizen Leadership Institute is to provide an avenue for residents to help plan the community’s future, spark an interest in local topics, present information about important questions facing the town, and develop a pool of informed residents willing to serve as local leaders on boards, commissions and among their neighbors.

The 2027 Institute will begin in January, and participation is free. Anyone who lives or works in Queen Creek is welcome to attend, though most town committees require residency within town limits to qualify for appointment.

For more information about the program, or to complete an interest form, visit town’s website.