SMILE Award

Here in San Marcos, we are lucky to have so many community members who rise to the top – clearly reflecting the San Marcos ‘"Spirit of Service." 

The award is presented five times a year, with the Mayor and each member of the City Council taking a turn selecting the recipient and presenting the San Marcos Inspiration, Leadership and Excellence (SMILE) Award during a City Council meeting.

“Our community is filled with innovative thinkers who fuse creativity with a can-do spirit to discover what is possible,” said Mayor Rebecca Jones. “This is a chance for us to recognize those stars among us and commend them for the light they shine on our community.” 

Recipient	Awarded By	Date
Debbie Thompson	Deputy Mayor Mike Sannella	11/10/25
Deputy Mayor Sharon Jenkins	Council Member Maria Nuñez	9/9/25
Garth Phillips	Council Member Musgrove	7/8/25
Bears for Badges	Council Member Danielle LeBlang	5/15/25
One Safe Place	Mayor Rebecca Jones	3/11/25
VFW Post 3795 and Auxiliary	Council Member Musgrove	11/12/24
Cathy Baur	Council Member Mike Sannella	9/24/24
Richard Borevitz	Council Member Maria Nuñez	9/10/24
Lance Mikus and Paul Nelson	Deputy Mayor Sharon Jenkins	5/14/24
Heidi and Greg Rassatt	Mayor Rebecca Jones	3/12/24
Hops in the Hills - The Heaps and The Amadors	Council Member Mike Sannella	11/14/23
Restoration Abbey	Council Member María Nuñez	9/12/23
Mia Roseberry	Council Member Ed Musgrove	7/11/23
Kiwanis Club of Lake San Marcos	Deputy Mayor Sharon Jenkins	5/9/23
Sonja Olson	Mayor Rebecca Jones	3/14/23
Bill and Elaine Gilfillen	Council Member Sharon Jenkins	10/25/22
Cristina and Antonio “Tony” Contreras	Council Member María Nuñez	9/13/22
RESPECT Project	Council Member Ed Musgrove	7/12/22
Arcela Nuñez-Alvarez	Council Member Randy Walton	5/10/22
Margaret "Betty" Ferguson	Mayor Rebecca Jones	3/8/22
John Forst	Deputy Mayor Sharon Jenkins	11/9/21
San Diego County Fire’s ‘Operation Collaboration’	Council Member María Nuñez	9/28/21
Rick Rungaitis	Council Member Ed Musgrove	7/13/21
Tanis Brown	Council Member Randy Walton	5/11/21
City of San Marcos Staff	Mayor Rebecca Jones	3/9/21