Ahead of the annual Harvest Days Parade on Saturday, July 18, Battle Ground's 2025 Citizen of the Year Johanna Hyatt received one of the community's longstanding traditions as members of Portland's Royal Rosarians planted a commemorative rose in her honor at Central Park.
The annual ceremony recognizes Battle Ground's Citizen of the Year, adding a personalized rose bush to the city's collection honoring past recipients before the parade begins.
Hyatt was named Battle Ground's 2025 Citizen of the Year in April after being selected by a private committee from community nominations. She was recognized for more than a decade of volunteer service throughout the community, including leadership with the General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC), Friends of the Battle Ground Library, the Ladybug Bazaar and numerous local service organizations.
With the newly planted rose bearing her name in view ahead of the planting, Hyatt reflected on the recognition.
"It's a big deal to me," Hyatt said. "Never in my wildest dreams would I have expected something like this. To be in a position like this is just, it's such an honor to have been nominated. But then to be picked, it blows my mind. It's unbelievable."
Although she has been recognized as Citizen of the Year for several months, Hyatt said little has changed about her day-to-day life.
"I've just been living my life," she said. "I got a banner at the reception and we hung it in front of our house. Once in a while, people stop and look at it. And it reminds me of this honor … They wrote it up in the paper and it's like, ‘That's my name. How is that possible?’"
Hyatt said the recognition has reinforced why she has spent years volunteering throughout Battle Ground.
"I don't do anything for a reason other than it's the right thing to do," she said. "I just volunteer and do my jobs that I do and help where I need to help."
Even so, she admitted the recognition has been meaningful.
"Huge, huge honor to be recognized for my efforts," Hyatt said. "It could not have been any less than that. It's a huge thing."
Hyatt also encouraged others to become involved in their communities, saying volunteer opportunities are available for anyone willing to help.
"Well, if you have time, do something useful. Make the best of your time and be useful about it and find where the need is and help if you can," she said. "You can always do something. There's always something that you can do. If you can find an organization that needs some kind of help, do it. Especially as a retired person, I can't just sit around.”
Following the rose planting, Hyatt prepared to ride in the Harvest Days Parade, where she looked forward to seeing familiar faces along the route.
Hyatt concluded that Battle Ground continues to be a community where residents can make a difference through service.
"It's a wonderful town and there are things to do if you look for them," she said. "I'm a member of the General Federation of Women's Clubs. It's an international women's organization, 135 years old, and our whole purpose is to be of service to our communities."
