By RICHIE HALL
Brooke Lawson got a big surprise to start her weekend on Friday.
Lawson was named the “Classroom Quarterback of the Year,” an award given by the Indianapolis Colts and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Lawson, the Mental Health and School Counseling Coordinator for Hamilton Southeastern Schools, was presented the award Friday afternoon at Brooks School Elementary School.
“I was shocked when I got the nomination a couple of weeks ago and completely shocked today to know that I was the winner,” said Lawson. She was presented the award by Anthem representatives, former Colts lineman Joe Reitz (a Hamilton Southeastern graduate), two Colts Cheerleaders, and the ever-popular Colts mascot Blue. In addition, a $2,500 donation was presented to Hamilton Southeastern Schools.
Former Colts lineman Joe Reitz prepares to make the announcement that Brooke Lawson is the Classroom Quarterback of the Year. (Richie Hall)
Lawson was one of 10 Indiana educators nominated for their outstanding involvement, positive impact and commitment to student success. She was nominated by Bob Rice, the Energy Manager for HSE Schools.
“Brooke is such a hard worker,” said Rice. “She’s highly intelligent. She has an amazing heart. She’s helping reduce the stigma with mental health issues in the city. And she makes sure all of our students get the support they need to be successful and a leader.”
Lawson was hired by Southeastern Schools in 2016 to oversee all of the mental health services in the district.
“And I just really have been proud of the ability for us in this school district to talk about mental health, to talk about mental wellness, to talk about mental illness, to normalize those things and just really start conversations that I don’t think maybe were happening 10 years ago,” said Lawson.
Lawson said that she has “always been passionate about children’s mental health. I live here in this community and my children attend school in this community. To see the impact that it has on them as amazing as well and I care so much about this work. It makes me feel really proud.”
Lawson believes there has been “a lot of change” in discussing mental health since she began working at Southeastern Schools.
“Our classroom teaches have more access to support for children,” said Lawson. “We’ve done a lot of work around teaching kids the skills that they need to be able to manage mental health struggles, and I think our teachers are more equipped.
“Obviously, we all know that kids’ mental health has been a challenge over the last couple of years. And I think it’s been really beat to see the impact of not only the work that we’ve done with teachers, but also the important work that we’ve done with our school counselors.”
Along with the donation, Lawson and her family received a $100 Amazon gift card for school supplies, four tickets to the first regular-season home game of the Colts’ 2023 season, and Colts gear and merchandise.