Florence First Citizen & Future First Citizen Luncheon Celebrates Legacies

The community is invited to celebrate the past – and the future – at the Florence First Citizen & Future First Citizen Luncheon on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Florence Events Center, 715 Quince St.

Since 1967, the Florence First Citizen has recognized the achievements of Florence community members and Siuslaw High School students who have made Florence a safer, kinder, and more connected community. Their work has created and sustained entities such as the Siuslaw Public Library, PeaceHealth Peace Harbor Medical Center, the Florence Events Center, Lane Community College Florence Center, the Power of Florence Day of Service, the Kiwanis Flag Program – as continuing the work of service organizations such as Rotary, Kiwanis, Soroptimists, Delta Gamma, P.E.O., Elks, and many others.

This year’s Legacy of Leadership event honors five First Citizen nominees for their lasting impacts through 2025 as well as the Future First Citizen nominees from Siuslaw High School for 2025.

The First Citizen Nominees are:

• Dale Edwards
• Gayle Sisson
• Sally Wantz
• Mike Webb
• Greg Wood

The Future First Citizen Nominees are:

• Nyx Harklerode
• Adylin Holbrook
• Danin Lacouture
• Camden Linton
• Jacob Mann

Congratulations to the nominees, whose short biographies are included below.

The First Citizens Committee received twice the usual number of nominations this year in both categories; the five top scoring finalists were then submitted to the judging panel. Judging is an important honor undertaken by past First Citizens. The winners will be announced during the March 31 event.

Tickets to the Florence First Citizen Legacy Luncheon are now on sale through The Good Deed Project, https://www.thegooddeedprojectflorence.com. The ticket price of $30 includes lunch and the Awards Ceremony. The event will recognize past First Citizens and honor the inspiring stories of this year’s nominees.

Events sponsorships are still available by emailing thegoodddeeproject501c3@gmail.com. Additionally, full tables of 8 are available for $300, which includes sponsoring a meal of a First Citizen nominee.

2026 Florence First Citizen Nominee Bios

Dale Edwards

Dale Edwards came to Florence to “fill in” until a lead pastor could be found at Cross Road Assembly. Fourteen years later, he has been a pastor, volunteer, and community supporter.
His motto is, “he doesn’t just pastor a church, he aims to pastor the entire town.” He served on numerous boards and was the first to be called when there were crises at the police department and the high school. Dale was instrumental in establishing and supporting Backpack for Kids, along with other programs for the community. His global leadership roles included building 15 churches internationally. He understands the need to serve and build relationships. He is a true servant leader. The footprint of Pastor Dale will be remembered far beyond his time in Florence.

Gayle Sisson

Gayle Sisson has worked to improve the City of Florence and promote tourism since 1996. She has been a business owner, sommelier, restaurant manager and chef, a fundraiser, and ambassador. Over the years, Gayle has participated in the Florence Farmers Market, Chowder Blues & Brews Festival, Florence’s Fourth of July fireworks and pie- and watermelon-eating contests, Merchants of Old Town, Florence Community Garden, Heceta Head Lighthouse, Soup Brigade, and efforts to bring beautification and other amenities to Old Town.
She is a member and president elect of P.E.O., which supports women re-entering the workforce, pursuing higher education, attending college, and graduating from high school.
Her leadership, generosity, and unwavering dedication have made a lasting and meaningful impact on Florence, making her an outstanding nominee for Florence First Citizen.

Sally Wantz

Sally Wantz is an active member of several boards and committees, and a past member of even more. She has served on the Western Lane Community Foundation, is a current Florence City Councilor, and joined the board of the Siuslaw Childcare Friends to oversee the operation of the new Elm Park Early Learning Center.
Sally lives these leadership qualities each day at home and in the bigger world: adaptability, authenticity, clear communication, collaboration, compassionate, consistency, courage, decisiveness, empathy, enthusiasm, financial stewardship, inspiration, integrity, innovation, long-term vision, resilience, results orientation, self-awareness, sense of humor, strategic thinking, team building, transparency, trustworthiness, and unlimited energy.
She has a heart for children and laid the foundation for much of the current work being done to secure child care in our region.

Mike Webb

Mike Webb is a community leader that organizations depend on when forming new endeavors: the Florence Urban Renewal Agency, Siuslaw Vision, Siuslaw Youth Soccer Association, and combining ambulance and fire services into Western Lane Fire & EMS Authority. He is a Rotarian, City Councilor, and board member, helping lead projects and raise funds.
In his 27+ years at Oregon Pacific Bank, Mike has been instrumental in helping small businesses thrive and survive.
He has proven his dedication to our community through the support he has given to local youth, city service organizations, education advancement, environmental projects, economic development, and supporting local business owners and entrepreneurs. Mike would never be the one to toot his own horn, but he is always there leading in the front row of the band.

Greg Wood

“Give a man a fish and he eats for a day; teach him to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” Greg Wood is teaching our less well-equipped neighbors how to fish. He has a heart for vulnerable and disadvantaged adults, families, and children and has produced tangible results manifested in physical shelters.
Through developing and leading First Step Florence since 2018, Greg has helped over 70 local families with children who have struggled with housing insecurity. First Step provides transitional housing and programs to improve budgeting, employment, and parenting skills.
As pastor of the Presbyterian Community Church, he opened the church doors for the community. As an advocate for the unhoused, he has collaborated with the City, Siuslaw Outreach Services, Safe Shelter for Siuslaw Students, and more to improve services.

2026 Future First Citizen Nominee Bios

Nyx Harklerode

Nyx Harklerode has a strong desire to help solve society’s most challenging issues while encouraging others to join the process. She enjoys reading and learning, plays soccer, articulates her thoughts well, and is self-motivated. She greets others with a cheerful ‘hello’ and a warm, genuine smile. She is exceptionally caring, a very good listener, and empathetic beyond her years.
Nyx is involved in leadership activities in school and in the community. She is a member of National Honor Society, the Environment Club, Kiwanis Key Club, and the Gender and Sexuality Alliance. In the community, she serves on the board of Safe Shelters for Siuslaw Students, is a volunteer stage hand for elementary school performances at the FEC, and is a volunteer at summer camps.

Adylin Holbrook

Adylin Holbrook serves others in many ways, but never calls attention to herself or her accomplishments. She particularly enjoys working with youth through church groups and summer camps. As a counselor and volunteer with youth, she exhibits her strong leadership abilities and offers exemplary in offering guidance to children.
Ady is hard-working, friendly, and even-tempered. She is quite adventurous and enjoys trying new activities and exploring new places. She is also a talented athlete, especially as a runner. She has excelled in cross-country and track throughout her high school years.
Ady is an outstanding student, who will graduate with a notably high grade-point average and valedictorian status. She chooses the most challenging classes and then works hard to reach the highest level of success.

Danin Lacouture

Danin Lacouture is an asset to Siuslaw High School, excelling as a scholar, athlete, and leader. She is president of the Siuslaw Rotary Interact Club, leading this group while also finding ways to share responsibilities with others and help them to grow, and coordinated the Veteran’s Day Assembly.
Danin is a talented athlete and a leader in a variety of sports. She has been a standout in wrestling, track and field, and volleyball. Her accomplishments include a state championship
title in shot put, a third-place finish at a state meet in wrestling, and a seventh-place finish in state competition in the discus throw.
There are no limits to her talents or her energy. She has achieved many milestones while taking our most challenging classes.

Camden Linton

Camden Linton is an intellectually and academically gifted student. He has excelled in his courses and has enjoyed many volunteer leadership positions at SHS.
Camden is sincere, friendly, kind, and willing to help others. He takes initiative – at school, in sports, and in outside activities such as the gutter cleaning business he started or being a day trader. He is athletically talented, participating in four sports each year.
Camden also has the unique distinction of participating annually in a trip with his family to Grenada or Nicaragua to help provide volunteer dental care for children in need. Camden enjoys these trips and the opportunities to serve others. In fact, service to others is a way of life for him.

Jacob Mann

Jacob Mann is a talented, hard-working, and athletic young man. He has taken nearly all of our most challenging courses. He has learned about construction while working in a family-owned business, including framing, roofing, concrete work, and more. He has also learned to repair dirt bikes and other sand dune vehicles.
Jacob is friendly, socially skilled, and well-liked. He is a positive peer leader who understands and appreciates the value of leadership by example. He has been a team captain in football, baseball, and wrestling. He is knowledgeable about many topics and stays well-informed.
Jacob enjoys volunteering at school and in the community. He is particularly effective with children, coaching them in wrestling and assisting with community activities.