[KHTS] The Santa Clarita Valley’s Top 51 “Most Influential” citizens were honored at a party held Thursday evening in Valencia at the Tournament Players Club.

The group of politicians, business leaders, philanthropists, educators, Santa Clarita city staff and others was selected by the Santa Clarita Signal.

Greg McWilliams, President of Newhall Land, with his Top 51 Most Influential plaque.

Retiring U.S. Congressman Howard “Buck” McKeon, R-Santa Clarita, was honored during the evening with a special tribute. McKeon was unable to attend, but sent Morris Thomas, district director for the Santa Clarita, Simi and Antelope valleys, to accept on his behalf.

This was the 10th year for the Santa Clarita “Top 51 Most Influential” list. The public submitted 120 names for consideration.

Jeri Seratti-Goldman, left and Carol Goldman, right were presented with plaques at the 2014 Top 51 Most Influential event in Valencia.

Named Santa Clarita’s “most influential” citizen for 2014 was Santa Clarita Mayor Laurene Weste.

Most of those named to the list were individuals, but several “power couples” were also included, as well as a duo of water politicians.

Guests enjoyed entertainment, refreshments and hors d’oeuvres at the TPC event.

Those selected as Santa Clarita’s Top 51 were called to the front of the room and presented with a personalized “Top 51” plaque. Each honoree also received a “
Top 51” lapel pin and mug.

Ronda Chobanian, Development Director of the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley, right, receives her Top 51 plaque.

Ronda Chobanian, development director of the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley, named to the list for the first time, said she was “incredibly humbled and honored to be included with such an amazing group of people.”

Weste, as #1 on the list, was invited to make a few remarks to the crowd.

She spoke about the unique character of Santa Clarita and its people.

The 2014 list, from one to 51, of Santa Clarita’s Most Influential:

Laurene Weste, Dianne G. Van Hook, Scott Wilk, Michael D. Antonovich, Ken Striplin, Bob Kellar, Dan Masnada, Marsha McLean, TimBen Boydston, Roger Seaver, Greg McWilliams, Marlee Lauffer, Craig Peters, Holly Schroeder, Cary Quashen, Capt. Roosevelt Johnson, Jim Backer, Steve Cole, Joan Lucid, Calvin Hedman, Dante Acosta, Gail Morgan, Maria Gutzeit, Bruce Fortine and Gloria Mercado-Fortine, Kathy Norris, Terri Crain, Don and Cheri Fleming, Jason Crawford, Tom Campbell and Bill Cooper, Rosalind Wayman, Wayne Crawford, Lois Bauccio, Richard and Marian Sandnes, Richard A. Patterson, John Shaffery and David Poole, Harold and Jacquie Petersen, Gary and Myrna Condie, Carl Goldman and Jeri Seratti-Goldman, Hunt Braly, John Musella, Dan Sterkel, Mike Dean, BJ Atkins, RJ Kelly, Liz Caddow, Mark Blazer, Leon Worden, Ray Tippett, Flo Lawrence, Jeff and Kiki Hacker and Ronda Chobanian.