The City of Crestview celebrated the completion of its first-ever Citizens Academy on Tuesday, graduating 16 residents who spent six weeks learning the inner workings of local government.
- The program, created by Crestview City Manager Jessica Leavins, was designed to give residents a closer look at daily city operations. It launched with 13 signups but grew to 16 participants after the first week. The graduation ceremony was held July 7 at the Crestview Community Center.
“A strong community begins with informed and engaged citizens,” Leavins said. “The Citizens Academy is about opening the doors of City Hall and providing transparency into how local government works.”
Each week, city leaders spoke to the class on topics ranging from public safety and city budgeting to community programs, utilities and planning. Participants also toured the new Crestview Recreation Center, got an up-close look at fire trucks and police vehicles, and received a demonstration of how local water lines work.
“We wanted to build meaningful relationships between our residents and the people who serve them every day,” Leavins said. “We are excited to have completed this first-ever program and look forward to empowering the next generation of community leaders.”
Allison Morris, one of the graduates, said the experience changed how she sees the city she grew up in.
- “As a third-generation Crestview native, I thought I knew my hometown, but I discovered there’s so much more to learn,” Morris said. “This opportunity has given me hope knowing we have city leadership who cares about the people and a team that takes time to address the people’s issues head on by inviting them to their front door.”
Morris added that the academy gave her “a deeper appreciation for our city,” and said she was honored to be part of its inaugural graduating class.
The 16 members of the Class of 2026 Crestview Citizens Academy are:
- Amy Boggs
- Carla Bulla
- Frederick Butts
- Victoria Clifton
- Ulysses Estes
- Ute Gabler-Vasquez
- Catherine Gichuki
- Malcolm Harris
- Hannah Kirkegaard
- Stephanie Logan
- Michael Montalbano
- Allison Morris
- Rebecca Phelps
- Nancy Piedlow
- Victoria Reistrom
- Sarah Searfoss
