Harry T. Wilks Hamilton Celebrates Education event scheduled for October 23

Thanks to the generosity of the Harry T Wilks Foundation, 19 local educators will be recognized at the 22nd Annual Harry T. Wilks Hamilton Celebrates Education event on Wednesday, October 23 at the Courtyard by the Marriott in downtown Hamilton. 

“Mr. Wilks created a legacy of honoring education,” says Katie Braswell, Vice President of the Hamilton Community Foundation. “And we are proud to continue that legacy by recognizing deserving educators, with the support of the Harry T. Wilks Foundation.”

19 area schools have nominated someone from their campus to be recognized, including teachers, counselors and custodians. All 19 honorees will receive a $1,000 grant from the Hamilton Community Foundation to be used in their classroom or at their school.  

“We’re very pleased to recognize so many outstanding educators once again this year,” says Braswell. “Carrying on the tradition of the late Mr. Wilks and his tremendous generosity to the community and to local education is something we’re proud to do.” 

Local schools are asked to consider the daily impact their nominee has on students, community and the school and provide examples of innovation and leadership. 

“Each year we are impressed by the caliber of educators in our local schools,” says Braswell, “and this year is no different.”

The 2024 “Hamilton Celebrates Education” Educators of Excellence are:

• Connie Arnold, 5th grade teacher at St. Ann Catholic School
• Don Austing, Head of Maintenance at St. Peter in Chains School
• Angela Breetz, Chair of Science Department and Teacher for Biology, Anatomy and Physiology at Stephen T. Badin High School
• Rachel Bridgeford, Intervention Specialist at Fairwood Elementary
• Camille Dainton, Secretary at Wilson Middle School
• Kari Espel, Math Instructional Coach at Riverview Elementary
• Shannon Frey, Art Teacher at Garfield Middle School
• Emma Hauer, English Teacher at Hamilton High School - Main Campus
• Barb Haven, Custodian at Linden Elementary
• Brittany Johnson, Math and Science Teacher at Crawford Woods Elementary
• Lisa Markley, Junior High Math Teacher at St. Joseph Consolidated School
• Jenna McSwain, Intervention Specialist & Dean of Curriculum & Instruction at Immanuel Lutheran School
• Victoria Monroe, 3rd and 4th grade teacher at Bridgeport Elementary
• Tami Morgan, ELA Teacher at Brookwood Elementary
• Amy Park, Intervention Specialist at the Miami School 
• Chris Schanding, Math Teacher at Hamilton High School - Freshman Campus
• Robyn Schlabach, 4th grade Teacher at Queen of Peace School
• Katie Sextone, Safe and Secure Monitor at Ridgeway Elementary
• Allison Whalen, ELA Teacher at Highland Elementary

Harry T. Wilks, a local attorney and benefactor, passed away in March 2014 at the age of 89. A 1943 graduate of Hamilton High School, Mr. Wilks was a longtime donor and supporter of charitable causes in the community. Having a lifelong belief in the importance of education, Mr. Wilks established a fund at the Foundation to provide program grants and honor dedicated educators. A tireless supporter of the arts, Mr. Wilks brought international recognition to the community by establishing Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park.

Founded in 1951, The Hamilton Community Foundation (HCF) has the largest collective impact on the quality of life in Hamilton, Ohio. By professionally managing more than 1,000 individual, family and corporate funds, as well as nonprofit agency endowments. As the largest community foundation in Butler County, the Hamilton Community Foundation is a public charity with $160 million in assets.