This award is given to a naturalized citizen who has made a significant contribution to his or her ethnic community and ethnic heritage, as well as to the community at large. It is presented at the Council’s annual Fourth of July Naturalization Ceremony. The recipient in 2006 is Alma Plancich, a tireless leader of the Croatian community who has devoted her life to preserving cultural diversity in the pacific northwest.The Ethnic Heritage Council is proud to present four awards each year.