BROOKINGS Brookings Mayor Oepke Ope Niemeyer, along with several of the citys volunteer boards and commissions, have announced the 2024 Mayors Awards honorees.
The public is invited to help honor the recipients at the Mayors Awards event, in conjunction with the Mayors Holiday Celebration, on Dec. 4 at the Dacotah Bank Center at 824 32ndAve. The event will take place from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. with the awards program beginning at 6:00 p.m.
Award recipients are:
Mayor’s Most Inspirational Award
Awardee: Clark James Drew III
The Mayors Most Inspirational Award recognizes the inspiring work and commitment of individuals in Brookings. The award is given to a community member age 40 or older who has made a significant impact in the community by contributing to community engagement, collaboration, inclusiveness, diversity, and innovation.
Mayor’s Generational Leadership Award
Awardee: Kirsten Gjesdal
The Mayors Generational Award is given to a community member age 35 or younger who has affected the community in the following ways: positively changes how people think about the community and city; helps Brookings attract and retain young professionals and families; motivates new generations to be active in their communities; contributes to the advancement and well-being of the community through service in areas such as education, sports, fundraising, charitable and voluntary service, economic development, arts, and the environment.
Human Rights Commission Award
Category: Dorothy & Eugene T. Butler Award
Awardee: Brookings Multicultural Center
The award is presented to person(s) or organizations who have contributed to advancing the cause of human rights. The award bears the name of the first recipients, Dorothy and Eugene T. Butler, who were recognized for their lifelong advocacy in human rights issues on local, regional and national levels.
Brookings Disability Awareness Committee Awards
Category: A.B.L.E. Award (Ability, Belief, Leadership, Equality to Achieve Access for All)
Awardee: Brookings Ambulance
This award is presented to an individual or organization with outstanding commitment to fulfilling the goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Category: Empower Award
Awardee: Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Plains
This award is presented to an individual or organization with outstanding commitment to creating or expanding opportunities for employment of disabled individuals.
Historic Preservation Commission Awards
Category: Excellence in Restoration
Awardee: Helen Jones 315 Main Ave.
Awardee: Jacks Entertainment LLC 327 Main Ave.
Awardee: City of Brookings Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department Pioneer Park Bandshell
Awardee: South Dakota State University SDSU Campanile
This award recognizes exemplary restoration of historic structures. An accurate restoration project depicts the form, features and character of an historic building as it appeared at a particular period of time. Restoration requires sensitive upgrading of mechanical systems and other code-required work to make the site functional.
Category: Stewardship Award
Awardee: Tim Byrne and Holly Tilton Byrne, 723 Harvey Dunn St.
This award recognizes those who have ensured the preservation of historic properties through long-term care and maintenance, stabilization and protection, or continuous family ownership.
Park and Recreation Advisory Board Partnership Awards
Category: Impact Award
Awardees: Deb Wolforth and Gary Moen
The Impact Award honors individuals or groups who have shown exceptional leadership and advocacy in advancing the mission of parks and recreation.
Category: Champion Award
Awardees: Bill Flynn, Dan & RaeJean Gee
The Champion Award recognizes outstanding contributions and initiatives that enhance community well-being through parks and recreation.
Category: Public Lands Preservation Award
Awardee: Brookings County Pheasants Forever
The Public Lands Preservation Award recognizes exceptional efforts in the stewardship and conservation of public lands.
Sustainability Council Awards
Category: Industrial
Awardee: NorthWestern Energy Methane Capture Project
This award recognizes a local industry whose contribution to sustainability is met through a variety of avenues, including resilient land use and climate-smart products.
Category: Nonprofit/Government
Awardee: City of Brookings Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department
This award is given to a nonprofit or government organization for its work in promoting sustainable practices through education, outreach and environmental well-being.
Category: Individual
Awardee: Kiley Rath
This award recognizes an individual who promotes sustainability through meaningful vision and dedication to enriching the local community.
Leave a Reply