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The Iowa State Fair's list of Iowans of the Day is out and, as always, it's an impressive collection of people who have demonstrated exceptional integrity, pride, hard work, and dedication to their communities.Video above: These 3 Iowa State Fair menu items will compete for title of best new foodThe Iowan of the Day program was created by the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation in 1997 to honor outstanding Iowans who have made a difference all across the state, according to a news release from the foundation. » See all of our Iowa State Fair coverage here.Winners, selected by a committee after a nomination process, are awarded a day of recognition at the Iowa State Fair. Each day at noon on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage they will be recognized and presented as an Iowan of the Day. They also receive four State Fair admission tickets, four Grandstand concert tickets, use of a golf cart, VIP parking, accommodations at the Des Moines Marriott Downtown and $200 cash. Meet this year's Iowans of the DayThursday, Aug. 8: Marilyn Sokol of Belle Plaine Marilyn is passionate about volunteering in her community and has spent the last 17-plus years coordinating programs so that others can also give back. She volunteers Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday every week at the Benton County Community Center. Marilyn is the coordinator for the Wednesday group; she organizes and oversees a group of 16 volunteers who complete various projects.These projects include sewing pillows for cancer and heart surgery patients in Cedar Rapids hospitals, making lap blankets and treats for nursing homes, coloring pictures for elementary students in the Belle Plaine Community School District, Summer & Holiday Food Programs, and Trees of Sharing. On top of coordinating these projects, Marilyn also helps find drivers for people who need rides to doctor appointments. Friday, Aug. 9: Pat Burch of Norwalk Pat has volunteered locally and statewide for various organizations for decades, including the Order of the Eastern Star and the American Red Cross of Greater Iowa. In recent years, Pat has focused on the National Quilts of Valor Foundation. Since 2019, Pat has provided quilts to over 250 veterans and active duty service men and women. Her efforts have touched American heroes across the state, the country, and the globe.Pat began her work with Quilts of Valor by helping give 20 quilts to veterans in the Eastern Masonic Home in Boone. Pat's efforts continued with the help of 5 other high school classmates, as they made 51 quilts for the veterans in her class and presented them at their 55th class reunion in 2021. On June 21 of this year, Pat organized more than 60 people in four separate locations to make Quilts of Valor on a single day. She ensured that fabric and patterns were purchased, kits were assembled, and all necessary supplies were available at each location. The result was over 50 finished quilts. Saturday, Aug. 10: Roxanne Cogil of Jamaica Roxanne's volunteer work spans far and wide, positively impacting those around her. She is an active member of several community organizations, including the Yale Community Club, where she participates in organizing meals, fundraisers, the 4th of July Celebration, and the Steak Supper. Roxanne also contributes to the Jamaica Lions Club, where she has been fundraising for a bike repair station on the Raccoon River Valley Trail. Roxanne also serves on the County Council, supports Habitat for Humanity, and serves as a National Weather Service Weather Spotter for Guthrie County.Additionally, Roxanne is a large supporter of community youth and youth in agriculture, volunteering with the Guthrie County Fair, serving as the Vice President of the Panorama FFA Alumni Chapter, leading local 4-H groups, and assisting her local Boy Scouts troop. At Calvary Chapel, she is a youth group leader and participates in various service projects, mission trips, and the Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes initiative. She also volunteers at Panorama High School events, including prom and the concessions stand.Furthermore, Roxanne is an advocate for those with disabilities as she serves as the Executive Director of Regional Teams for the Epilepsy Foundation and is a member of the Executive Committee of the Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council, the Brain Injury Alliance of Iowa, and the Department of Human Services Case Management Advisory Board. Previously, Roxanne served as the President of the Autism Society of Iowa Board of Directors and organized an Autism Awareness team for RAGBRAI. Sunday, Aug. 11: Nelson Klavitter of Dubuque Nelson is a huge proponent of living, working, and traveling in his hometown of Dubuque. He has been involved with Dubuque Main Street for over 30 years and is an ambassador for the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce. Nelson has helped plan Architecture Days for more than ten years, a free event of tours of Dubuque's most historic places. He was instrumental in the historic preservation of the former "Walsh Stores" that still exist downtown today. Furthermore, Nelson serves as a tour guide for Travel Dubuque and the Greater Dubuque Development Corporation, showcasing the place he calls home to job-seekers, newcomers, and those just traveling through.Nelson has also been an active member of the Dubuque Noon Lions Club for over 50 years, where he volunteers at their food booth during the Dubuque County Fair and participates in other activities. Additionally, he actively contributes to Junior Achievement, where he volunteers on multiple boards and organizes various events. Monday, Aug. 12: John Klein of Treynor John sees a need in his community, develops a solution, and makes it a reality. His dedication is particularly evident in his efforts with the youth through the Treynor Optimist Club and other community organizations.He has written grants for numerous community projects, including a new playground for East City Park. John also organized swim lesson sign-ups and provided round-trip bus transportation from Treynor to Council Bluffs, making this essential skill more accessible to local families. He supports the Treynor Community Can Kennel, which benefits various youth groups and has raised over $246,000 to date. John also created the Mulch Madness event on Arbor Day, where 5th graders and volunteers plant new trees and mulch existing ones on the school campus and in city parks. Furthermore, he contributes to the Watch DOGS mentoring program and volunteers for the Cardinal Combine youth football activities.Beyond his work with the youth, John is active in various community initiatives. He has helped organize City Block Parties, a thank-you banquet for Treynor Fire and Rescue Volunteers, and the Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Department. He also established a community volunteer organization called Cardinal Core. Tuesday, Aug. 13: Crystal James of Ottumwa Crystal is devoted to using her time and talents to serve others. Some of her most notable efforts include her time as a missionary to Haiti, her contributions to arts and humanities, and her work to feed the hungry.Crystal is a member of Team Iowa Missions and works to share hope and compassion through her faith during short-term mission trips. Crystal and her husband have traveled to Haiti a total of nine times on mission trips supporting their sponsored children and elders, and plan to go again in the future.As a retired teacher, Crystal has a passion for education and provides musical and educational programs to people of all ages by volunteering in schools, nursing homes, and various community organizations. Her support of the arts goes beyond these musical programs, as she performs in and directs productions of the Ottumwa Players. In addition, Crystal helps with the Ottumwa Lord's Cupboard to distribute food to families and individuals in need in Wapello County. Wednesday, Aug. 14: Tate Giesemann of Bellevue Tate's passion for service and strong leadership qualities make him a role model for everyone around him, even at his young age of 17. He participated in Boys State and has held various leadership roles in Student Council, FFA, and FBLA, showcasing his commitment to student engagement and leadership. Tate is on the State Youth Advisory Council for the Department of Human Rights, contributing to the Education and Environmental Committees. Additionally, as a Student Representative on the Bellevue School Board, Tate provides valuable insights and represents his peers. Tate is also involved with the Sons of the American Legion and is a member of the National Honor Society.Further demonstrating his commitment to community service, Tate participates in the Bellevue High School Silver Cord Program and will have accumulated more than 120 hours of community service by the time he graduates. Some of those hours include building a new shelter at JJ's Memorial Park as part of a carpentry class project, leading the Operation Prom initiative, and assisting his neighbors in need.Looking ahead, Tate plans to join the Marines after graduation, further exemplifying his dedication to his community, state, and country. Thursday, Aug. 15: Rodd Holtkamp of Primghar Rodd's extensive involvement in his community has made him a valuable asset to Primghar and O'Brien County for decades. His passions span health and safety, rural development, economic improvements, agriculture, and more.Rodd volunteered with the Mercy One Hospital Foundation for 20 years and was on the original EMS Building Construction Committee. He has been a member of the Primghar Advancement Corporation Board, O'Brien County Economic Development Board, and the Community Agency Board. Rodd is active in the leadership and music ministries at Grace Lutheran Church.As a true county and State Fair fan, Rodd also secured sponsors for four billboards to celebrate the 100th year of the O'Brien County Fair this year. Friday, Aug. 16: Elaine Graham Estes of Des Moines Elaine is described as a groundbreaker and pacesetter for all Iowans. She has been a civil and women's rights pioneer since she was young and has continued to be a leader in her community.Elaine helped to integrate the dorms at Drake when she began her college education there in 1949. She graduated from Drake in 1953 with a degree in Business Administration, but an advertisement for a job at the Des Moines Public Library changed her career path. Elaine got her Master's in Library Science from the University of Illinois and spent 39 years with the Des Moines Public Library. She was promoted to library director, where she broke through the glass ceiling as the first African American Des Moines Public Library Director and one of the first female directors nationally. As the director, she innovated various library materials, automated the library, fought to protect privacy rights, and against censorship.Outside of her work at the library, Elaine has served her community, her state, and her country on a variety of boards and organizations, including the American Library Association Literary Landmarks, the Des Moines Playhouse, the Des Moines Art Center, the State Historical Society, the Des Moines Historic Preservation Commission, the Des Moines Rotary as the first woman inductee, and was the Iowa Advisor to the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Saturday, Aug. 17: Kendall Pals of AlgonaKendall, former Algona chief of police, believes it is important to "always seek ways to improve one's own life and the lives of others." He has made an impact in his community by going above and beyond both in his work and in his volunteer efforts.During his 41 years as a police officer, Kendall implemented a program where officers read to Pre-K through 4th-grade students weekly at local schools. The program helped students establish a positive relationship with local law enforcement from a young age.After retirement, Kendall has pursued multiple avenues of volunteerism to give back to others. He is a member of the City of Algona's Planning Committee and Zoning Commission, the Algona Area Chamber of Commerce, Jaycees, and the Kossuth County Republican Party Central Committee. Kendall volunteers as a poll worker on election days, helps with the local Community Thanksgiving Feed, and fills food bags for the people of Haiti. He is also the First Vice president of "Moving Veterans Forward" of North Central Iowa. With this organization, Kendall collects furniture and household items from generous donors to distribute to veterans in need.