Irving Mayor Herbert A. Gears and the Irving City Council recently awarded long-time Irving couple, Kitty and John Boyle with the High Spirited Citizen award.
“Volunteering is the best way to meet good people that help one another through life,” says Kitty Boyle. Since 1964, Kitty and John – through volunteering – have made friends, inspired others, and helped mold the Irving community to what it is today.
Collectively, Kitty has held leadership positions for nearly 20 associations and boards throughout her 47 years in Irving. Kitty has served on the boards for Irving Advocacy, Irving Schools Foundation, Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau and American Airlines Arena Tax Increment Financing District.
Her efforts extend well beyond Irving. Kitty founded and served as past chair for the Community College Association for Texas Trustees and now resides on the association’s executive committee, and on the trust fund committee for the National Association of Community College Trustees. She is a trustee for the District 5 of Dallas County Community College and vice chair for the Ranch Academy.
The Association of Community College Trustees recognized Kitty in 2009 as the recipient of the National Trustee Leadership Award, and she was recognized by the American Association of Women in Community
Colleges with the Leader in Service Award in 2008. Kitty also received the Women in Government Award from Irving YMCA; Community Service Award from the American Cancer Society; Distinguished Women Award from Soroptimist` International; and the Golden Apple Award from Irving Independent School District.
John has been involved with nearly twenty committees and associations throughout his time in Irving. Since 1989, John has held Board of Director positions for the Salvation Army, Serra International, YMCA, Irving Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scouts of America, Ambucs and the University of Dallas. For more than 44 years, John has been a dedicated member of the Irving Bar Association and currently leads as president of the association.
John’s other volunteer activities include the Texas City Attorneys Association, Dallas Bar Association, Tarrant County Bar Association, International Municipal Lawyers Association, Rotary Club, Outstanding Young Citizen of Irving, St. Luke’s Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus and Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher.
This year John received the Marvin J. Glink Private Practice Local Government Attorney Award from the International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA). The IMLA recognizes an individual who provides outstanding service to the public, possesses an exemplary reputation in the legal community, walks in the highest of ethical standards and who strives to maintain a life of passion for professional excellence, alongside the joy of family and friends. Additionally, the award honors an individual who exhibits characteristics of openness and sincere concern for the community and the interests of others.
Councilman Roy Santoscoy, who nominated the couple, said “First and foremost, the Boyles and their family have a commitment to Irving that dates back more than 40 years. They are big volunteers and charitable contributors to the community – they host events in their homes, support our community, our schools and charities – and for decades have gone beyond a ‘normal’ commitment.”
He also notes that, “The Boyles have a real heart for people and the citizens of Irving and are the perfect models for what a High Spirited Citizen looks like. They are respected on all levels and are inspiring to the
generations behind them; always encouraging young people, even encouraging myself, to step up and lead our community.”
The High Spirited Citizen program was initiated in 1988 by the Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau. Its purpose is to encourage the spirit of volunteerism. To date, more than 400 of Irving’s “unsung” heroes have been honored with the award.
