Meet Sturgis' 2023 citizens of the year
STURGIS — Two champions for area youth have been named the 2023 Sturgis citizens of the year.
The Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce announced Monday that Debby Mathis and Ken Mills were selected from a pool of candidates recently submitted to them.
Mathis, a longtime Sturgis resident, served 24 years at Sturgis Public Schools as an elementary school counselor. According to the chamber, she provided "social-emotional curriculum for all students focusing on empathy, emotion management and conflict resolution."
Additionally, Mathis was involved in the introduction and implementation of the Leader in Me program at Wall Elementary School and was part of the team that led Eastwood Elementary to achieving its Lighthouse School status.
Outside of education, Mathis was a charter member of the Sturgis Eastside Kiwanis Club and served as both president and secretary. She led the third grade leadership awards and the kindergarten book project that provided a book to every kindergarten student at Christmas.
Mathis is also an active member at Sturgis United Methodist Church, where she is currently the administrative assistant and a lay servant. She has taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, is a past secretary for the church council and has worked in the Clothing Sanctuary for two years. Mathis has also served on the board of the Helping Hands weekend food backpack program and volunteer at the Free Friday Friendship Lunch at St. John’s Episcopal Church. She has also been a volunteer at the Paws and Claws Bookstore in Howe, Indiana, that supports the Ark Animal Shelter in nearby LaGrange.
“Even after retirement, Debby has continued in several roles which allow her passion for caring for people to shine,” the chamber stated.
Ken Mills and his wife, Karen, moved to the Sturgis community in 1984 to begin Youth for Christ/Campus Life (YFC). After nearly 40 years helping area teens, Mills “retired” as the executive director, but continues to play an active role in many ways. According to the chamber, Mills has helped with or guided a variety of events including large Wednesday night rallies with local churches called “Big 5” and yearly Sunday night fair concerts. Mills also organized spring break trips, local camps and adventures to places across the country.
Mills also led the Fully Alive choir, a group of high schoolers that would share their talents in local churches.
Outside of YFC, Mills has served in a number of other capacities. In 1987, he became the Sturgis High School ski club director. That same year, Ken gathered a group of volunteers to clean up the high school football stadium after home games. In 1997, he was asked to coach cross country, first at Sturgis Middle School, then as the assistant high school coach. After volunteering with the track and field team, Mills was asked to be the head boys coach in 2004. In 2001, Mills began to serve Sturgis High School as the sports photographer. He has also served as the president of the Sturgis Kiwanis Club.
“Even though his effect on Sturgis can never be accurately measured, the ripples outward have traveled far and are his gentle mark on this community,” the chamber stated in its biography of Mills.
Kari Hatt, executive director of the Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce, said it is “truly an honor to live in this community with such devoted and giving people. “
“This is what makes Sturgis thrive and continue to grow,” Hatt said. “Congratulations to them both and their continued commitment to serving our community and others.”
Cathi Garn-Abbs and Mike Stiles were the 2022 citizens of the year.
This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: Meet Sturgis' 2023 citizens of the year
