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
Amber Ter-Vrugt  Council Member Ed Musgrove  5/12/26 
The Friends of San Marcos Parks and Recreation Mayor Rebecca Jones 3/24/26
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
Back to top