Brothers named Citizen of the Year
GREENCASTLE -- South Putnam High School guidance counselor Becky Brothers doesn't seek recognition for the things she does for the community.
So when she was announced Saturday night as the Greater Greencastle Chamber of Commerce's Citizen of the Year at the organization's annual dinner, she was more than a little surprised.
"I got an award for doing something I love to do," she said. "It's my job."
Chamber Vice President Beau Battin, a South Putnam graduate, introduced Brothers, noting that her commitment to the Putnam County community was "reaching legendary proportions."
Brothers has done work for the P.I.E. Coalition, Putnam County Youth Development Commission, the Area 30 Medical Career Advisory Board, Putnam County Senior Citizens' Prom, Putnam County Teen Court, South Putnam Student Council and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, just to name a few.
"One student went so far as to say you're her idol," Battin told Brothers. "You have impacted thousands of students and community members."
Brothers said the administration at South Putnam makes it possible for her to participate in community projects and to help get her students involved as well.
When the list of former Citizen of the Year award winners was read, Brothers said, she felt like she was in exemplary company.
"The things I do -- those are things everyone does," she said. "And when I listened to the list of people who had won this before, I thought, 'I don't even begin to qualify.'"
What meant the most to her, Brothers said, was the fact that some of the students she had worked with wrote letters of nomination for her.
"The letters came from the students I'm working for," she said. "It was icing on the cake."
Brothers, who has been battling cancer since November 2009, said her students were what had kept her going through her illness.
"They're the medicine I need," she said.
Battin said he would use the word "tough" to described Brothers.
"Becky was a strong influence on me," he said. "She has faced her challenges head on and continued to help students. There's not a better person I know to lead by example."
Also feted at the dinner was Laurie Hardwick, the 2010 chamber president, who was named Director of the Year.
"She has been so involved, so dedicated, such a cheerleader for the chamber of commerce," said Tammy Amor, the executive director of the Greater Greencastle Chamber of Commerce.
Amor noted that even after Hardwick's 6-year-old son Eli was severely injured in an accident in September, Hardwick continued to "push chamber events" and was "back full force as much as possible" as soon as she could be, even though she was "stretched so thin."
"(Hardwick) has worked diligently, and was a major reason why the first Taste of Putnam County was such a success," Amor said. "She has continued to help make us better. No one has ever had more passion."
In her out-going president's remarks, Hardwick said she was particularly proud of the chamber's Buy Local campaign.
"It's been quite a year, and I'm proud of our accomplishments," she said.
Hardwick, who works as the attorney for the City of Greencastle, said support from Mayor Sue Murray made it possible for her to contribute to chamber pursuits.
"I am very appreciative for the opportunity," she said. "It's been a great experience for me."
Incoming 2011 chamber President Amber Bowers, a Brazil native and DePauw University graduate, spoke about the need for Putnam County businesses to reach out to customers on a "national and global level" by embracing the Internet and social networking.
"We can support our community by creating a Web presence," she said.
Bowers said she looked forward to spending the next year working with the chamber board and members.
"Thank you in advance for all the hard work, time and commitment I know you'll put into the chamber this year," she said.