FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Crestview, FL – The City of Crestview held a graduation ceremony for participants of the first annual Citizens Academy on Tuesday, July 7 at the Crestview Community Center. The six-week program was created by Crestview City Manager, Jessica Leavins, to give residents an inside look at the daily operations of local government. The program began with 13 signups but grew to a class of 16 after the first week. "A strong community begins with informed and engaged citizens," Leavins said. "The Citizens Academy is about opening the doors of City Hall and providing transparency into how local government works." Each week, city leaders spoke to the class about topics ranging from public safety and city budgeting to community programs, utilities and planning. During the six-week program, participants also toured the new Crestview Recreation Center, received an up-close look at the city's fire trucks and police vehicles, received a demonstration of how local water lines work and more. "We wanted to build meaningful relationships between our residents and the people who serve them every day," said Leavins. "We are excited to have completed this first-ever program and look forward to empowering the next generation of community leaders." Each class provided a unique opportunity to better understand how decisions are made, how services are delivered, and how citizens can become more engaged in shaping the future of Crestview. "As a third-generation Crestview native, I thought I knew my hometown, but I discovered there's so much more to learn," Allison Morris, a Citizens Academy participant said. "This opportunity has given me hope knowing we have city leadership who cares about the people and a team that takes time to address the people's issues head on by inviting them to their front door. This Citizens Academy has given me a deeper appreciation for our city, and I am honored to be part of its inaugural graduating class." The Class of 2026 Crestview Citizens Academy Graduates are: • Amy Boggs • Carla Bulla • Frederick Butts • Victoria Clifton • Ulysses Estes • Ute Gabler-Vasquez • Catherine Gichuki • Malcolm Harris • Hannah Kirkegaard • Stephanie Logan • Michael Montalbano • Allison Morris • Rebecca Phelps • Nancy Piedlow • Victoria Reistrom • Sarah Searfoss For more information, contact the City of Crestview Public Information Office at [email protected].