City honors civic participants

HIGH PRAISE-From left, Citizen of the Year Julie Feely, Youth of the Year Brittany Mulvihill and Older American of the Year Beverly Brune hold plaques presented to them by the Westlake Village City Council. All three were recognized for their contributions to the community. The Westlake Village City Council gave accolades to three residents last week as part of the city's Citizens of the Year presentations.

Beverly Brune, a 30-year resident of Westlake Village and member of the Garden Club, was the city's Older American Honoree.

"When you reach a certain age, you're eventually referred to as older, so I gladly accept this award," Brune said.

The Older American of the Year award is in association with the Los Angeles County Commission on Aging's award program. Brune will be honored along with other county recipients at a presentation in Beverly Hills on May 17.

The Youth of the Year award, along with a $500 scholarship, was given to Brittany Mulvihill, who has served as a youth delegate on the city's Cultural Advisory Committee for the past three years.

"You have added so much to the city and have helped to give the city a youth viewpoint," said Mayor Sue McSweeney, a former teacher who first met Mulvihill when the girl was a student in her kindergarten class.

Mulvihill, a member of the Agoura High School Key Club and a volunteer at the First Neighborhood Day Camp, is the first youth member of the Cultural Recreation Advisory Board, city officials said.

Mulvihill plans to attend the University of Washington.

Julie Feely was the recipient of the highest honor of the evening, the Citizen of the Year award.

"Julie is someone who dedicates her life to doing great things for other people," McSweeney said.

Feely, a retired school teacher, is a volunteer for a first grade classroom at White Oak Elementary and also serves on the city's Public Advisory Grant Committee.

The city will donate $500 to Many Mansions, Feely's charity of choice, in honor of her civic participation.