Inaugural Plume of Distinction: Lauren Doucette
For many years, UHCA has highlighted residents who have done exceptional and amazing things that have made UH a better place by recognizing them with a Plume of thanks. This year, we are adding a new recognition that will be awarded annually by your elected officers, the Plume of Distinction.
This recognition is intended to highlight someone who has given back to our community in an extraordinary way, helping shape and improve UH for the long term.
When the UHCA officers met, it was a quick and easy discussion and we unanimously agreed that Lauren Doucette was the right person to receive the inaugural Plume of Distinction award.
Lauren has been an extremely active part of our community since 2018 and with UHCA as a valued volunteer and later board member since 2021. In that time, she has made a huge and lasting impact:
Founded and nurtured the UH Garden Club, helping neighbors learn about growing and preserving their own food with educational sessions and seed swaps
Organized and led events including UH Bike to Work and UH Bike Clinics, St. Paddy’s Pub Crawl, Lights in the Heights Bike/ Walk/Run, and more
Created the UH Puzzle Swap
Brought back Movies in the Park and started the Great UH Bake Off
Helped grow our social media reach and engage with more UH neighbors with hundreds of posts and reels
Created Letters from Santa delighting hundreds of local kids over the last several years
Organized safety improvements for Halloween on Maryland with neighbors and UHCA to make the night safer for the hundreds of kids and adults walking in the neighborhood
Lauren has worked closely with other organizations in and around UH on projects that have made an impact including Friends of the Library, Birney Beekeeper Alliance, SD Bike Coalition, and more. Lauren’s bright, cheery, collaborative “can-do” attitude makes her a joy to work with; and her technical and organizational skills have made each event she has touched work better and be more successful- something we have heard from numerous community members and leaders who have worked with her on projects.
For all of these achievements, contributions, and her sheer joyousness, it is our honor and pleasure to award Lauren the inaugural Plume of Distinction. We do this with our heartfelt thanks as fellow board members, and on behalf of the entire University Heights community that she has given so much to.