Two longtime Carlsbad volunteers whose work has supported young people, nonprofits and community organizations have been named the city’s Citizens of the Year.
Rosemary Eshelman and Karen Pearson will be honored during a ceremony at 3 p.m. Tuesday, July 28, in the City Council Chamber at Carlsbad City Hall, 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive, according to a city news release. A reception will follow in the courtyard, and the public is invited.
The Citizen of the Year program, established more than 50 years ago, recognizes residents who contribute their time and energy to Carlsbad’s civic improvement, beautification and overall betterment.
Eshelman has served the community for more than four decades. After moving to Carlsbad with her husband, David, in the 1980s, she worked for the city’s Parks & Recreation Department, helping coordinate its first Easter egg hunt, the opening of the Carlsbad Senior Center and Monroe Street Pool, and summer camps.
She later spent 25 years coordinating Youth Enrichment Services, a volunteer collaborative involving schools, nonprofits, public safety agencies and community groups. Eshelman also served as the Carlsbad Unified School District’s health and wellness coordinator and helped establish the Superintendent’s Advisory Council and Carlsbad Champions peer mentorship program.
“Rosemary has spent a lifetime lifting the Carlsbad community through unwavering dedication, service and heart,” Abby Snyder, who nominated Eshelman, said in the city’s news release. “While many give their time, Rosemary has given her life’s work to building connections, strengthening programs and creating opportunities, especially for youth.”
Now retired, Eshelman continues to volunteer through scholarship and grant reviews, community events and programs serving local young people and families. She said the city’s greatest accomplishments occur when residents and organizations work together.
“Carlsbad is, and always has been, a special place for me,” Eshelman said. “I have met so many people who connect and care about our community. I consider Carlsbad a quilt, and each of us contributes a square to complete it. I am so proud to be able to live here and to work with amazing organizations that are committed to making a difference in young people’s lives.”
Pearson moved to Carlsbad with her husband, Ray, and their son, Dane, in 2008. She began volunteering with the Mitchell Thorp Foundation and later served as its director of community relations.
She also worked as director of business relations for the San Diego North Economic Development Council, developing partnerships among businesses, educational institutions and public agencies. Her volunteer service has included work with TrueCare, the Carlsbad Charitable Foundation, Solutions for Change and the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation.
Pearson is the incoming president of the MiraCosta College Foundation Board and serves on the boards of TrueCare and the Carlsbad Charitable Foundation. She also volunteers with Love on a Leash, providing pet therapy visits with her rescue dog, Buddy Joy.
“When Karen sees a need, she takes action herself and then looks around to see who will join the cause,” nominator Shannon Stubblefield said in the city’s announcement. “She is a force multiplier.”
Pearson said service has been personally fulfilling and that she enjoys using her community relationships to connect other people with organizations and causes that interest them.
“I have been given so much in this life; I feel a deep calling to give back,” Pearson said. “I’m also a natural connector, so it brings me a lot of joy to help others find what they’re passionate about and get involved too.”
She also encouraged residents to recognize that community service can take many forms and does not have to involve a major commitment.
“There are so many ways to give back here in Carlsbad,” Pearson added. “Doing even the smallest thing helps you feel like you’re part of the greater good.”
This report was partially written using artificial intelligence, then updated, edited and fact-checked against source material by North Coast Current staff. View our AI policy on the About Us page, and read more in a column by our publisher.
