TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – Hamilton Center Inc. has announced the 2024 Hamilton Prize recipients.

On Tuesday, October 22, the organization held its annual Hamilton Awards Dinner at the Sycamore Banquet Center on the Indiana University campus.

The dinner is an opportunity for community partners and organizations to come together and celebrate the nominees. The Hamilton Awards recognize individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to mental health and addictions in the community.

“When it comes to communicating with people. People like to be appreciated. This is one of the reasons why we like to do this. And we want our consumers to know that we value them. We want our employees to know that we value them and, of course, the community. That’s why this is important,” said Melvin L. Burks, CEO and President of Hamilton Center Inc.

Tonight’s winners include:

Community Winner: John Plass (posthumously issued), former Vigo County Sheriff: Plass served over 33 years in law enforcement in Vigo County as a police chief and then sheriff. He served our country for the same amount of time, retiring as a sergeant major in the 38th Infantry Division, Indiana Army National Guard. Sheriff Plass was a true community servant, dedicating his time to numerous organizations including the Hamilton Center Board of Directors. John Plass was a great leader, worked with integrity and was always focused on the goal of improving others and protecting the community, the nominator said.

Volunteer winner: Rebecca Johnson. Rebecca is committed to “paying it forward.” She used her past life experiences to help others struggling with addiction and seeking recovery. She is a former Park County Drug Court participant. Since graduating from the program, she has dedicated herself to helping others on their path to recovery. She hosts Celebrate Recovery meetings in Park County two nights a week and serves as a mentor and supporter to many. She sponsors several people in the program who show up in court with enthusiasm, support and compassion.

Youth Winner: Bring a Change of Mind, North Vigo High School: This organization empowers students to advocate for mental health awareness to help create a more empathetic and stigma-free school environment. Bring a Change to Mind is an evidence-based, student-led club open to all students. The Terre Haute North club encourages youth to take a proactive approach to mental health and self-care while equipping club members, as new peer advocates, with the tools and skills to create real change in their communities. The club was represented by Amanda Higgins, Valerie Kershaw and several club officials.

Personal winner: William Kennedy, Peer Recovery Specialist: Kenndy has only been at Hamilton Center since June of this year, but has already made a huge impact on so many lives. He is always the first to offer help, regardless of the situation, takes his work very seriously and understands its importance. He finds positive light in the darkest situations and treats all consumers with dignity, respect and compassion. He works tirelessly to provide services and find space for those struggling with addiction issues and uses his past experiences to create a deeper connection with the consumers he serves.

2024 Frank W. Gers Award Winner: Dennis Weber: Weber is a former math teacher and football coach. Weber is a resident of Clinton, Indiana and a graduate of Indiana State University. He taught high school math and coached football in North Vermillion, South Vermillion and Terre Haute of South Vigo for about 40 years. He is a role model for students and athletes; Many students looked up to him and he always wanted students to succeed both on and off the field.