Students in District 241 had to narrow it down to just one candidate. It was a big decision, the award for citizen of the year. But, judging from the final pick, it wasn’t too difficult of a choice.

School board member Tom Eaton has been chosen as the district’s model citizen for 2003.

&uot;I was surprised when they called me and said I was citizen of the year,&uot; Eaton said. &uot;But I’d guess most people are surprised.&uot;

Tom Eaton would rather not have the spotlight shine on him. He isn’t one who draws attention to himself; in fact, he likes to draw attention to others.

&uot;I’m a real behind-the-scenes person,&uot; he said.

Behind the scenes, Eaton has been a guiding light for some and a leader to others.

In the past ten years. Eaton has served as a member of the school board, a leader and volunteer at the Albert Lea Community Child Care Center, a retreat leader with Teens Encounter Christ, a teacher of church classes, a captain of the Pelican Breeze and much more.

Eaton does it all not for recognition, but to help. But his help is centered on the people he holds most dear to his heart: children.

&uot;My passion is kids,&uot; he said. &uot;I enjoy their openess, their vitality and their eagerness to learn.&uot;

Eaton said the biggest influence on his focus on service was his father, who led by volunteering and as a member of the school board.

&uot;He was a leader by example,&uot; Eaton said. &uot;He never specifically told us we needed to be involved in our communities, he just was and expected the same from us.&uot;

The genes were set up for volunteering, but it took some will power too.

&uot;You do it because you enjoy it,&uot; he said. &uot;If you live in a community, you picked that place for a reason. It’s usually because you see something special there. (Volunteering is) the way we can feel like we are giving something back to that community.&uot;