The City of Victoria recognized 12 Distinguished Citizens during the Nov. 19 City Council meeting. Residents can earn the title of Distinguished Citizen by completing the three educational programs offered by the City: Citizens Academy, hosted by Communications & Public Affairs; the Civilian Police Academy, hosted by the Victoria Police Department; and the Civilian Responder Program, hosted by the Victoria Fire Department. The programs are designed to encourage civic involvement and give residents a deeper understanding of how their local government operates. Residents who earned the title of Distinguished Citizen during the past year were Rose Blaha, Joni Burk, Carl Frisch, Rosanna Frisch, Ruth Glaeske, Vilas Glaeske, Barbara Lingle, Ellen McCraney (not pictured), Naomi Odom, Carolyn Schoener (not pictured), Norman Schoener and Debra Williams.