2026 Outstanding Young San Antonian
Demonstrating the Rotary philosophy of 'Service Above Self'
Established in 1931 by the Jaycees, this award honors outstanding young San Antonians who exemplify the Rotary philosophy of 'Service Above Self' by making exceptional contributions to the community. In 2002 the Rotary Club of San Antonio began selecting recipients.
Recipients included Tom Slick, Tom Frost Jr, Nelson Wolff, Henry Cisneros, Bonnie Reed, Pat Frost, Tim Duncan, Rick Cavender.
This year’s recipient
The Rotary Club of San Antonio proudly honors Charlie Blank as the 2026 Outstanding Young San Antonian. As founding Executive Director of River Aid San Antonio, Blank has mobilized thousands of volunteers, removed hundreds of thousands of pounds of trash from local waterways, and helped inspire a growing culture of environmental stewardship across Bexar County. What began as a small Earth Day cleanup with roughly 40 volunteers has evolved into a countywide environmental movement—in 2025 alone, more than 3,200 volunteers participated in River Aid initiatives. Today the organization leads watershed cleanups, ecological restoration, water quality monitoring, and partnerships with local government agencies. Guided by a commitment to service above self, Blank encourages San Antonians to take ownership of the problems they see close to home. Read more about his award and remarks at the May 2026 luncheon.
In Their Own Words
Thank you Rotary Club Of San Antonio for selecting me as this year's winner. We are lucky to have such a great organization here in SA.
— APRIL T. (2018 Recipient)
Humbled and honored to receive the 2023 Outstanding Young San Antonian Award from the Rotary Club of San Antonio, joining a legacy of community leaders who demonstrate Service Above Self dating all the way back to the 1930s! I also had the opportunity to share my story and encourage others to not 'think outside of the box'—there is no box when it comes to paving a brighter future! Grateful for the support of my mentors, friends, and family who inspire and encourage me daily.
— CYLE P. (2023 Recipient)
Honoring the 1941 recipient of the Rotary Club of San Antonio Outstanding Young San Antonian Award 75 years later. — CDR HAROLD RISENER (1941 Recipient)
Previous Recipients
- 2026 - Charlie Blank
- 2025 – Kevin Matula
- 2024 – David Robinson Jr.
- 2023 – Cyle Perez
- 2022 – David Robinson
- 2021 – Emma Faye Rudkin
- 2020 – Ryan Lugalia-Hollon
- 2019 – Lorenzo Gomez
- 2018 – April Ancira Thompson
- 2017 – Rey Saldaña
- 2016 – Brandon Logan
- 2015 – Jon Marek
- 2014 – Shannon Sedwick Davis
- 2013 – Rev. Gavin Rogers
- 2012 – Jennifer Paquette
- 2011 – Armen Babajanian
- 2010 – Bruce Bowen
- 2009 – Rebecca Brune
- 2008 – Mark Larson
- 2007 – Lanham Napier
- 2006 – Dr. Fernando Lopez
- 2005 – Josh Davis
- 2004 – Leslie Mouton
- 2003 – Tim Duncan
- 2002 – Mark Mays
- 2001 – Mayor Ed Garza
- 2000 – Justice Wallace Jefferson
- 1999 – Pat Frost
- 1998 – David Robinson
- 1997 – Ron Barshop
- 1996 – Lyle Larson
- 1995 – Richard H. Cavender
- 1994 – T.J. Connolly
- 1993 – Robert G. Marbut, Jr.
- 1992 – Richard P. Ojeda
- 1991 – Judge Carleton B. Spears
- 1990 – Judge Bonnie Reed
- 1989 – Karyne Jones Conley
- 1988 – Thomas Yantis
- 1987 – Cyndi Taylor Krier
- 1986 – Dr. Louis Agnese, Jr.
- 1985 – Gilbert F. Vazquez
- 1984 – Roy Barrera, Jr.
- 1983 – Paul Rush
- 1982 – Gary Short
- 1981 – James Dublin
- 1980 – Carl D. Newton, III
- 1979 – Frank Tejeda
- 1978 – Dan Loveland
- 1977 – Tom Vickers
- 1976 – W.W. McAllister, III
- 1975 – Henry G. Cisneros
- 1974 – Bernard M. Brooks, Jr.
- 1973 – Reese L. Harrison
- 1972 – Nelson W. Wolff
- 1971 – Bob Lee
- 1970 – Segal V. Wheatley
- 1969 – Charles S. Nelson
- 1968 – Douglas Mitchell
- 1967 – Boone Powell
- 1966 – James L. Hayne
- 1965 – Lloyd Jary, Jr.
- 1964 – Charles L. Smith
- 1963 – W. Don Tiner
- 1962 – Franklin S. Spears
- 1961 – Tom Frost, Jr.
- 1960 – Jack Pitcluk, Jr.
- 1959 – Porter Loring, Jr.
- 1958 – Jack Cones
- 1957 – John Daniels
- 1956 – Hubert Green, Jr
- 1955 – Walter Corrigan
- 1954 – Bob Hollingsworth
- 1953 – Bill Southwell
- 1952 – Sam Riklin
- 1951 – Bill Camp
- 1951 – Sam Jarle
- 1951 – Sam Riklin
- 1951 – Phil Willis
- 1951 – Forres E. Wood
- 1950 – William Bellamy
- 1950 – John W. Fielder
- 1950 – Jack C. Hamilton
- 1950 – Paul K. Herder
- 1950 – Henry J. Sebastian
- 1949 – James V. McGoodwin
- 1948 – Tom Slick
- 1947 – Dan Gates
- 1946 – Lou Riklin
- 1945 – Angus Cockrell
- 1944 – Carl Stromberger
- 1943 – Willis Tate
- 1942 – Harold Risener
- 1941 – Walter Thomas
- 1940 – Jake Tiner
- 1939 – Albert Buss
- 1938 – Jesse Fletcher
- 1937 – Theo Weiss
- 1936 – Fred Felty
- 1935 – Joni Jones
- 1934 – Bailey Peyton
- 1933 – Guy Bonham
- 1932 – Arthur Pfeil
- 1931 – Youngs Crook
