Camarillo's newest Dons and Doñas received their honors Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Pleasant Valley Historical Society's annual barbecue at the PVRPD Community Center.

The ceremony, now in its 62nd year, recognizes longtime residents who have contributed to the community through professional and volunteer work for at least 20 years. More than 500 residents have received the honor since the program began in 1964, according to the society's website.

Nancy Phillips was among the 2026 honorees. The full roster of this year's recipients has not been publicly released.

Ventura County Supervisor Kelly Speakes Long attended the event and presented each honoree with a certificate from the County of Ventura. She posted about the event on Instagram on Monday, Sept. 14:

@kellyspeakeslong: "Congratulations to Nancy Phillips and all of the wonderful honorees recognized as the 2026 Dons & Doñas! … It was wonderful to see so many past honorees in attendance and to celebrate the legacy of service and dedication they represent."

The Don and Doña designation traces to early California, when "Don" was the title given to community leaders. Adolfo Camarillo, who took over the nearly 10,000-acre Rancho Calleguas at age 16 and helped found the original Camarillo townsite in 1910, was considered the "last of the Spanish Dons." The city was incorporated in 1964, the same year the historical society was founded.

Tickets for the barbecue were $100 each. All proceeds after event costs go to the society's museum expansion fund, which has a $1.9 million goal. The planned expansion would add 1,153 square feet to the museum's existing 1,555-square-foot display and meeting area, including classroom space for school programs and a dedicated space for the Fulkerson Library.

Six scrapbooks documenting every honoree since 1965 are on display at the Pleasant Valley Historical Museum and Garden.

Nomination applications for the 2027 Dons and Doñas will be accepted beginning March 1, 2027. Residents can contact the society at (805) 482-3660 or [email protected] for more information.

Upcoming community events

  • Saturday, Sept. 19 — Coastal Cleanup Day at two Camarillo sites
  • Monday, Sept. 21 — Moorpark "Superhero Academy" day camp
  • Monday, Sept. 28 — Camarillo Airport beacon replacement begins