Hays County Courthouse, San Marcos, TX (May 22, 2019) – The Hays County Commissioners Court on Tuesday proclaimed May 21, 2019, as Anita Miller Day amid words of praise from citizens and Court members for the long-time area journalist. Audience members gave her a standing ovation as Miller went to the dais to accept the proclamation.
Precinct 1 Commissioner Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe thanked Miller “from the bottom of my heart for all your hard work and dedication to the citizens of Hays County. You’ve done an excellent job.”
According to the proclamation, Anita Miller joined the San Marcos Daily Record in 1980 as a young writer and engaged in community issues and challenges from the beginning, such as community growth, heart-warming achievements, disasters and recoveries, day-to-day life, adventures and passages, heroes, icons – and a few villains. She stayed with the San Marcos Daily Record through numerous changes in ownership and leadership, choosing to be a journalist instead of accepting offers of more lucrative careers, and in doing so mentored countless student journalists and rising stars over the years.
Dianne Wassenich, Executive Director of the San Marcos River Foundation, said that in 1980 when she first moved to Hays County, “the only place you could catch Anita was through the darkroom door while she processed photos for the paper,” referencing the various roles Miller has taken on over the years. “She has been invaluable to our community, receiving the San Marcos River Foundation Friend of the River award and too many journalism awards to count.”
Miller was inducted into the San Marcos Women’s Hall of Fame in 2018 for her achievements. She has served on the Gary Job Corps Community Relations Council and worked with dozens of non-profit and community-focused groups, including the Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center, LULAC, LBJ Museum of San Marcos, Centro Cultural Hispano de San Marcos, the public library, and many more.