01/13/2026
The Pilot Mountain Civic Club is proud to announce that Meagan Hutchens has been named the 2025 Citizen of the Year.
The award celebrates individuals who have demonstrated exemplary volunteer efforts, a strong commitment to civic responsibility, and actions that promote public welfare in ex*****on of the Clubโs mission โ all qualities that Meagan embodies.
The award was presented during the January meeting of the Civic Club. Her family was able to surprise her by being in attendance where she received a custom-made wall hanging from LazerEdge and gave a moving acceptance speech.
Reflecting on the honor, Meagan shared, โThis honor didnโt start with success, it started with survival.โ She explained that her commitment to community service is rooted in a promise she made to herself during a challenging period of her life: to ensure others, especially youth, never feel as alone as she once did.
Meagan wears many hats. As secretary of the Civic Club, she has played an integral role in creating and organizing several key community initiatives, including the Better Together Back to School Bash, which provided nearly 300 students with the supplies, clothing, and resources they needed for a successful school year. Utilizing partnerships with the Town, local emergency service organizations, businesses, and sponsors, the event surpassed all expectations.
She supported the Loads of Love Room at Pilot Mountain Elementary by helping facilitate volunteers and volunteering herself; the project was led by the schoolโs social workers and sponsored by the Civic Club. A most recent effort was partnering with school social workers and other businesses to lead the Community Harvest Thanksgiving meal drive. This event provided 15 meals for local families in need so that the โwarmth of the seasonโ could be felt by as many as possible.
Meaganโs leadership extended to Mayfest, one of the Townโs largest and longest-running events, where her vision and hard work helped the event achieve its highest profit ever, directly benefiting local charities and programs with nearly $40,000 granted through the Civic Clubโs Charitable Contributions program.
"Belief goes a long way. It changes lives. You have changed mine for the better, forever," she said, acknowledging the support of the Civic Club, her fellow Club officers turned friends, and the community that helped turn these events into successes.
Her efforts are not just about organizing events but about fostering a culture of support and care. โThe greatest honor of my life will always be being your mom,โ Meagan said, underscoring the importance of her family and their role in supporting her work. Her husband, Paul, and their children, Michael Paul, Makayla Paige, and Lucas, have been her biggest cheerleaders throughout her journey. As a family, they volunteer and serve our community as a united front.
Everything changed for Meagan five years ago, after Paul dragged her to a Civic Club meeting for the first time. The Civic Clubโs support has been vital to Meaganโs success. โThis wasnโt a finish line. It was a starting gun. Mayfest 2026 starts now!!โ she said, signaling that her work is far from over and expressing her excitement for future projects.
Meaganโs efforts have had a profound impact on Pilot Mountain, and her continued commitment to serving the community promises even greater things ahead. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance, belief, and the strength of community.
-Written by Alyssa Munson: Main Street Coordinator and Civic Club Member
Help us in congratulating Meagan on being named our 2025 Citizen of the Year ๐
