Spirit of Folsom Award winners honored

A group of standout Folsom citizens were honored during the City Council meeting on Sept. 8, for going above and beyond to serve and improve the community. The 2026 Spirit of Folsom awards were celebrated during the meeting; this event is always a festive tradition for city officials and a chance to celebrate people who have had a significant impact in the city. Every year, City Councilmembers nominate one recipient from their district, resulting in the honoring of five recipients annually. Applications for the awards are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed once per year. Applicants can nominate themselves or another person, or a City Councilmember can select their own nominee, explained city officials.The nominees are considered based on their commitment to the community, and how they made a significant impact on the quality of life in Folsom. Winners of the awards are honored each year with a certificate at the Folsom City Council meeting held on the first Tuesday of September. Their achievements are also displayed at Folsom City Hall and highlighted on the city's website, newsletter and social media platforms.The 2026 Spirit of Folsom Award winners are: *Brian Wallace, nominated by Mayor Justin Raithel. Mayor Raithel said Brian Wallace has strengthened Folsom through more than a decade of civic leadership, volunteer service, art and design. He has served on city commissions, supported Community Service Day since 2017, contributed to numerous local organizations and created books and artwork celebrating Folsom.Friends of Folsom Parkways, represented by Special Projects Director Glenn Hermanson, nominated by Vice Mayor Anna Rohrbaugh. *Jim Snook, nominated by Councilmember Mike Kozlowski. Jim Snook has dedicated decades to strengthening Folsom through his leadership of Choose Folsom and the Folsom Historic District Association, support of local organizations, and work on projects including the Historic District streetscape and ice rink, said Folsom City officials. Kozlowski said Snook is known in the community for his humility and generosity and says Jim is always willing to mentor others or step in wherever help is needed. *Paul Romero, nominated by Councilmember Barbara Leary. Leary honored Paul Romero for his dedication to more than five decades to parks and recreation, including nine years on the Folsom Parks and Recreation Commission. His strategic leadership, advocacy for Livermore Park improvements, and support for programs such as Wild Nights and Holiday Lights have made a lasting impact on Folsom's parks, said city officials. *Vijay Bhaskar Jonnalagadda, nominated by Councilmember Sarah Aquino. Vijay Bhaskar Jonnalagadda has served Folsom through the Library Commission, Community Service Day, HART of Folsom and numerous community organizations. Folsom City officials recognized him for his contributions which include helping establish the library's Telugu-language collection, raising more than $120,000 for HART's Student Village, and serving as a blood donor for decades with 450 donations. *Friends of Folsom Parkways, nominated by Vice Mayor Anna Rohrbough. Friends of Folsom Parkways protects and enhances Folsom's trails, parks and natural spaces through volunteer service and community stewardship, said Rohrbough. In the past year alone, its volunteers contributed 5,828 hours to fire fuel reduction, the Adopt-A-Trail program, Castle Park and other community projects. Spirit of Folsom award nominees must be a resident, business, volunteer, employee of a City of Folsom business, or a student enrolled in a school within the boundaries of the City of Folsom. To see winners from previous years, visit https://www.folsom.ca.us/residents/spirit-of-folsom-award