Every fall, the Meridian Stars Awards recognize Meridian residents and businesses that demonstrate a commitment to preserving, maintaining, and improving the quality of life and safety in neighborhoods and in the community. If you know of an outstanding neighbor, youth, senior citizen, small business, or large business, please submit a nomination using the button below. We appreciate your help in letting us honor the residents and businesses that make Meridian the premier place to live, work, and raise a family!
2024 SUBMISSION PERIOD: Open from September 12 - October 31.
- Youth of the Year (someone under the age of 18)
- Senior of the Year (someone aged 55 or older)
- Neighbor of the Year (a person or a couple of any age)
- Small Business of the Year (50 employees or fewer)
- Large Business of the Year (50 employees or more)
Neighbor of the Year
Carol and Elden Leavitt
Those of us who live in Meridian are lucky to have some of the greatest neighbors in the world right next to us—and the husband and wife team that have earned this year’s neighbor of the year award are an amazing example of how big an impact even small acts of kindness can have. This couple has lived in Meridian for 50 years, and over the years, they’ve shared their home with friends, family, and even strangers when they’ve needed support and a place to stay. They plant a huge vegetable and flower garden and share the produce with friends and family. They keep everyone they know well-fed, whether they’re hosting a huge family dinner, a class reunion lunch, a mid-week Bible study gathering, or providing a meal for someone in need. Their neighbors say they are grateful to consider them the “honorary grandparents” of everyone who lives on the street.
Youth of the Year
Hoyoon Song
Our youth of the year stands out as an exemplary young leader in his community. He is a wonderful musician active in orchestra, a swimmer, a youth commissioner on Meridian’s own Transportation Commission, and last year, he served as a leader in the Meridian MYAC—that’s the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council—and played an important role in introducing his fellow students to learn more about and get involved with local government.
Senior of the Year
Patsy Gardner
One of the most wonderful things about our City is the incredible commitment to service that so many in our community have. For many of our residents, this commitment is a lifelong endeavor, and this senior citizen is a shining example of that. Now in her mid-80s, this woman delivers food to adults in need through Meals on Wheels twice a week—and many of the people she delivers to are younger than she is!
Small Business of the Year
Loose Screw Beer Co
Small businesses are thriving in Meridian, and this year’s award winner has gone above and beyond, continually proving itself to be a huge advocate for the Meridian community. The owners, a husband-and-wife team, took ownership of their brewery in 2022, and their first order of business to curate a family-friendly experience for neighbors to enjoy and for groups to gather in, with an unwavering commitment to the community and to philanthropy. The company focuses on supporting local businesses around them, whether that’s through a vending machine in their establishment that spits out books, community events like Trivia Tuesdays and Bingo Thursdays, and live music from local musicians on Fridays. This business is seemingly always present at Meridian events, serving up their popular brew.
Large Business of the Year
Berkeley Building Co
Large companies in Meridian have a powerful impact on our local economy. This business doesn’t just build houses; what makes them stand out is an enduring commitment to supporting the community. Whether it’s sponsoring the outdoor picnic area at the new Ronald McDonald House Charities Idaho House, donating for the Pediatric Cardiology Clinic at St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital, or even building a playhouse for a young boy with cardiomyopathy through the Make-A-wish Foundation. And if all that wasn’t generous enough, this company is especially well-known for building the St. Jude Dream Home for eleven years at no cost to St. Jude, raising millions of dollars for the treatment and research of young cancer patients.
Mayor's Star of the Year
Tom and Bonnie Carns
When this couple were in the process of changing their landscaping, they not only offered to give away their beautiful plants to a neighbor, but actually went above and beyond and did the work in digging and replanting them for their neighbors in ideal locations. They’ve provided jumbo-sized road food to a neighbor who was going on a lengthy car trip in unpredictable weather so they wouldn’t have to worry about making stops. They keep a close eye on the homes of neighbors when they’re on vacation. And, as longtime local business owners, they personally nurture young professionals in their field to help them succeed and encourage them to stay in Idaho so that we can all benefit from their valuable skills. This couple actively goes out of their way to make their neighborhood—and Meridian as a whole—a better, safer, and far more enjoyable place to live.