Meridian Mayor Tammy de Weerd presented the 2012 Meridian Neighborhood Star Awards last week during a public ceremony and reception at City Hall.

These annual awards recognize Meridian residents for being exceptionally committed to preserving, maintaining, and improving the quality of life and safety in their neighborhoods and the broader Meridian community.

“These unsung heroes have each, in their own way, shown unusually strong dedication to their neighbors, neighborhoods, and community, and are deserving of our appreciation and recognition,” said de Weerd in a press release.

Each was nominated for the recognition by a neighbor or neighborhood association.

Among those recognized:

Dan Olson, Baldwin Park

Guy Colwell, Castlebrook

Lisa Bain, community volunteer

Rick and Roma Herriott, Fieldstone Meadows

Applebee's Neighborhood Grill, Eagle Road and Fairview Avenue

Jim Rosetti, Meridian Greens

Bob and Jeanmarie Wheeler, Tustin

Frank Thomason, The Valley Times

Bob Kobza, Bedford Park

Brady Murray, community volunteer