Axner S. Olson (1910-1975) devoted over 30 years to the education profession. In 1943, he became a teacher in the Coldwater Community School System and later assumed the position of Principal at Roosevelt Junior High School. Mr. Olson was instrumental in the planning and development of Legg Junior High School and served as its Principal from 1967 until his retirement in 1972.

The Memorial Citizenship Award is presented in honor of the many constructive contributions made by Mr. Olson to the field of education. It is a symbol, not only of the qualities Mr. Olson strived to develop in others, but also symbolizes the type of person he was himself.

The memorial plaque displayed at Legg Middle School and the annual student award are made possible by the efforts and contributions of Axner S. Olson's many colleagues, former students, and friends, who appreciate that he gave so much of himself to so many through his consistency in belief and action.

• 1975: Scott Milnes

• 1976: James Lyon

• 1977: Tanis Allen

• 1978: Cornell Goodreau

• 1979: Jim Rzepka

• 1980: Amy Ewers & Sanjay Reddy

• 1981: Dana Cooper

• 1982: Cynthia Grupp

• 1983: James Barnes

• 1984: Brad Bettinger

• 1985: David Martinson

• 1986: Andrew Schorfhaar

• 1987: Joni Rodgers

• 1988: Alan Demlow & Ben Lockwood

• 1989: Shannon Smoker

• 1990: Sarah Ferguson

• 1991: Dean VanNasdale

• 1992: Eileen Rocchio

• 1993: Melissa Ruddock

• 1994: Jessica Anderson

• 1995: Lisa Kontowsky

• 1996: Nicole Anderson

• 1997: Bridgette Fleagle

• 1998: Brandon Walton

• 1999: Emily Mills

• 2000: Jenna Costigan

• 2001: Stacy Corless

• 2002: Justin Fast

• 2003: Maria Davenport

• 2004: Katherine Gallagher

• 2005: Sindhu Arivoli

• 2006: Mary Beth Moyer

• 2007: Rebecca Olds

• 2008: Zachary VanStone

• 2009: Abigail Donbrock

• 2010: Benjamin Hicks

• 2011: Shelby Bowers

• 2012: Kumaran Arivoli

• 2013: Eric Bach & Emma Grife

• 2014: Benjamin Fagen & Cole Targgart

• 2015: Ella Budd

• 2016: Kaitlyn Meyers & David Roderick

• 2017: Kenneth "Dodge" Elkins

• 2018: Myles Dirschell

• 2019: Jillian Hawver

• 2020: Ayat Alsoofi & Gabriella Bookmyer

• 2021: Claudel Wischmeyer

• 2022: Danika Cox

• 2023: Paisley Harvey

• 2024: Muthana Hajaji