James Warren named Citizen of the Year

Ever since James Warren was a boy, Wake Forest has been home.

On Tuesday night, the only home he’s ever known said thank-you.

Warren, an attorney, a community leader and a man willing to work for what he believes in, was named the 2006 Wake Forest Citizen of the Year by the Wake Forest Community Council.

“There are a lot of mighty fine people who have won this award. I’m not sure I belong on that list,” Warren said.

But the community said otherwise.

Warren has been a major fundraiser for local Scout troops and the Wake Forest Boys & Girls Club. He has been a leader in the work of the Wake Forest College Birthplace Society and a major booster of the Trentini Foundation.

Warren wears his love for Wake Forest on his sleeve. He graduated from Wake Forest University and returned to Wake Forest to practice law.

In his practice he encourages community service among his colleagues and he backs up his talk with his own example.

Warren says his work on behalf of the community is inspired by the people he has come to know.

“Wake Forest is a special place because it has so many special people,” Warren said.

In presenting the award, Mayor Vivian Jones said Warren loves to be a part of everything about Wake Forest.

“He makes all of us better citizens when he calls up and says, ‘I’m working on a little project, and I need your help,’” Jones said.

Also nominated were Hilda Warren, Jim Adams, Hugh McLean and Chip Russell.

Also Tuesday, Rhonda Alderman was named recipient of the Peggy Allen Lifetime Achievement Award.

Alderman has been a member of the Wake Forest Fire Department’s Ladies’ Auxiliary and is an active leader of a support group for the spouses of Wake County Sheriff’s Deputies.

Alderman has also spent the past 18 years as a member of the Wake Forest Fourth of July Committee, including several years as chair.

She’s also active in the schools, where she has served as vice president and president of school PTAs. She now serves as the chair of a school board advisory committee for District 1 and is the clerk and acting secretary for her church, Glen Royal Baptist.

A native of Wake Forest, Alderman found it hard to describe her feelings with words.

“Peggy Allen was such a wonderful person. I hope I can live the life she lived to be part of the community,” Alderman said.

In an interview after Tuesday’s Community Christmas Dinner, Alderman said her involvement in the community has largely been an effort to make a difference in her children’s lives.

“The one thing I wish is that my parents could have been here to see this. But I know they are looking down on this,” Alderman said. Her parents are the late Wesley and Margie Hodge. Alderman’s husband, Jake, said the active lifestyle suits his wife.

“I’m glad she’s so involved. I’d hate for her to just sit at home, and she really likes to be part of the community,” Jake Alderman said.

Greg Allen and James Holding were also nominated for the award.

The Club of the Year is the Fourth of July Committee. The group begins work each January preparing for the two-day celebration that draws as many as 5,000 people to Trentini Stadium each July 3rd for a fireworks show and entertainment.

On July 4th, the committee organizes a children’s parade that has drawn as many as 1,000 participants, and a day of old-fashioned games and arts and crafts activities in Holding Park. Jones said the July 4th celebration has now struck a second generation.

“There are people who participated in this as children who bring their children because they think it’s that important,” Jones said.

Also nominated was the Wake Forest Woman’s Club.