IRVING, Texas (April 22, 2013)... High spirited in everything they do, Irving's most recent award recipients, Kass Prince and Craig Boleman, have logged more volunteer hours combined since venturing to Irving in 1998 than most do in a lifetime. Irving Mayor Beth Van Duyne and the Irving City Council officially named the couple High Spirited Citizens on Thursday, April 18, in recognition of their unmatched passion and diligence to make the Irving community thrive.

Prince was recruited to Irving by Arts Center Executive Director Richard Huff to oversee facility operations and serve as his second-in-command. She has dedicated time off-the-clock to serve as a volunteer for many of Irving's art organizations, including Lyric Stage, Irving Community Theater and the Irving Symphony Orchestra.

A graduate of the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce Leadership Irving program, Prince was an original member of the Irving Firefighter Ball Committee and more recently served on the board of directors for the Irving Firefighter's Foundation. She is past treasurer for the University Hills Homeowner's Association Board; a founding board member of Texans for the Arts; and past president for both the Southwest Theatre and Film Association and the Southwest Performing Arts Presenters.

Giving credence to the saying that "the couple that volunteers together stays together," Boleman served with his wife on the University Hills Board of Directors and the Irving Firefighter's Ball Committee, which included a stint as the event's co-chair.

Owner of the Irving-based creative firm SoloShoe Communications, Boleman donates talent and resources to events including the Firefighter's Ball; the DFW Humane Society's Black Collar Affair; the Irving Healthcare Foundation's Texasfest; and Le Jazz Hot for the Irving Symphony Orchestra.

Boleman has served on the board of directors for the Irving Cable Board; Greater Irving/Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce; and Irving Symphony Orchestra Association. He is the chair of Irving Community Theater's (ICT) MainStage Play Selection Committee, and played a starring or supporting role in six ICT productions.

The couple's biggest passion in the community, however, is a litter closer to home. As the proud parents of rescued pets, both Prince and Boleman dedicate a good portion of their time to the DFW Humane Society.

A Humane Society board member since 2007, Prince currently serves as the no-kill shelter's vice chair. This year marks the third consecutive year that the two serve as co-chairs of the Humane Society's annual Black Collar Affair fundraiser. Under their leadership, money raised for the shelter has grown; and the Black Collar Affair has turned into Irving's can't miss event of the fall, complete with a pet parade and costume contest.

For their efforts, Humane Society Board Chair Rick Bidne honored them with the President's Award in 2012.

The High Spirited Citizen program was initiated in 1988 by the Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau.  Its purpose is to encourage the spirit of volunteerism.  To date, more than 400 of Irving's "unsung" heroes have been honored with the award. For more information visit irvingtexas.com