Miami University Music alum, former opera singer, and long-time elementary school music teacher Melynda Caswell '04, was the recipient of the Hamilton Educator of the Year award at the 14th annual Harry T. Wilks “Hamilton Celebrates Education Awards.”

Each school in the Hamilton District elects one teacher to compete for the award through an application and a written grant. A committee chooses five finalists, and from that the one winner will be chosen. Caswell’s school, Ridgeway Elementary School, elected her to compete for the award, which she received at the event in front of more than 250 public and private school officials, educators, and local community leaders.  The award comes with a $500 check and a $3,000 grant for Ridgeway Elementary thanks to the Hamilton Community Foundation, the sponsor of the event.

Harry T. Wilks was born and raised in Hamilton, graduated from Miami University and was a local attorney and philanthropist involved with local arts, schools and the community and passed away in 2014.

The Hamilton Community Foundation was founded in 1951 and manages over 700 charitable funds and provides more than $1 million in scholarships annually.