Outstanding Tualatin Volunteers 2025

In 2025, one thousand-five hundred individuals, families, and groups contributed 14,500 hours make Tualatin a kinder, more connected community.

Tualatin’s volunteers planted trees to improve air quality and protect our trails, supported library programs like Storytime, Makerspace, Tech Tutors, Homework Helpers, and provided notary services for our community members. They served meals at the Juanita Pohl Center and gave their time to boards and committees.

Each year, City staff nominate volunteers they have worked with over the year who have been truly outstanding. We are pleased to announce the 2025 Outstanding Volunteers of the Year!

Outstanding Adult Volunteer

Rachel Elliot

Rachel has been a resident of Tualatin for over 20 years. Rachel began her service by picking up litter in the Greenway Trail and then focused her talents and energy on the Tualatin Public Library.

The Friends of the Tualatin Public Library is a non-profit that supports the Tualatin Library through fundraising and advocacy. Like many volunteer organizations, they struggle to fill the volunteer roles that enable them to fulfill their mission. Rachel began volunteering for the Friends 5 years ago and has steadily increased her involvement not only with the Friends, but on the Tualatin Library Advisory Committee as well.  Rachel’s service to the library has steadily increased over the years. This is reflected by the nearly 175 hours she has volunteered, and the additional responsibilities she has assumed.

Laura Baker, President of the Friends of the Library, reports that “Rachel has grown in her leadership skills, which is a huge boost to the all-volunteer group. Rachel is a dedicated volunteer who is a vital team member of the Friends. She has learned a tremendous amount about the operation of our group and is committed to supporting the Friends and the Tualatin Library."

 Outstanding Youth Volunteers

Nestor Sanchez Carmona

Nestor Carmona-Sanchez contributed 140 hours in 2025, but what’s most impressive about Nestor is his genuine love of helping others. Nestor has helped with decorations and publicity for Viva Tualatin, folded t-shirts for Pumpkin Regatta volunteers and supported manyStorytimes in Tualatin’s Parks.

“I’m so impressed with Nestor,” reports Library Director Jerianne Thompson, “At every library advisory committee meeting, Nestor consistently showed up, stepped up, and spoke up. He has a friendly, easy-going demeanor, and he was well liked by his committee cohorts. We all appreciated the perspectives he brought to the group, and his confidence in speaking up. He was only able to serve one term on the library committee, because he made the right decision to focus on other priorities in his over-committed schedule. He is consistently helpful and brings humor to fellow teens and library staff regularly when he volunteers at the library.

Cosimah Slider

Since starting her volunteer service in 2023, Cosi has been a positive force in our community. Cosi’s most notable feature is her whirlwind energy and her determination to make things better for youth in Tualatin. A hard worker and a team player, Cosi contributed over 90 hours in 2025.

Most of these hours were spent as a student representative on multiple committees. Cosi does her homework and has advocated clearly and passionately for Tualatin’s youth on the I.D.E.A. Committee, Teen Library Committee and Tualatin’s Parks Advisory Committee.  

According to Library Director Jerianne Thompson, “Cosi is an amazing young woman, and I look forward to voting for her to elected office someday. As an advisory committee member, Cosi was engaged, bringing informed perspectives and insightful questions. As a City volunteer, Cosi brings enthusiasm to every role she steps into — helping with a library program or at the Pumpkin Regatta, speaking at City Council, or pitching in with the Teen Library Committee. 

 Outstanding Volunteer Group

Teen Library Committee

The Teen Library Committee (TLC) was created to meet a critical need in the City of Tualatin: ensuring that teens have a meaningful voice in shaping the programs and activities designed for them at the library. Under the leadership of Teen Services Librarian Aimee Meuchel, the committee brings teens together to collaborate, brainstorm, and problem-solve in an environment where their ideas are valued.

By empowering youth to take an active role in program development, TLC fosters creativity, confidence, and a stronger connection between teens and their library. In 2025, TLC members not only contributed their ideas but also developed important leadership skills through hands-on experience. TLC members learned how to manage responsibilities and think critically about community needs. Their efforts led to a noticeable increase in teen participation at library events, demonstrating the success of programs designed by teens, for teens.

They balance their own interests with those of their peers, ensuring that events are inclusive and appealing to a wide audience. TLC also promotes events through their schools and social networks, expanding the library’s reach in authentic and effective ways. Collectively contributing over 200 hours of service, these dedicated volunteers help make library programs more welcoming and engaging. Librarian Aimee Meuchel says, “Working with TLC is one of my greatest joys because of their enthusiasm, creativity, investment in our community, and hard work. They are our future and I'm excited to see the differences they make in their communities.”

On behalf of the City Council, City staff, and the entire Tualatin community, we thank all our volunteers for making Tualatin a kinder and more connected community.

For more information on our Volunteer Program, visit our www.tualatinoregon.gov/volunteer.