Sister Vickie Perkins, SCL, was honored with the 2026 H. Dean Hamon Humanitarian of the Year Award by the Leavenworth–Lansing Chamber of Commerce on March 11, 2026. The award was presented by Derek Wohlgemuth, Board Chair of the Chamber and Vice President of Exchange Bank & Trust, and Carla Hamon.
This year’s award was given in memory of H. Dean Hamon, a decorated military veteran and longtime Leavenworth community leader who passed away on December 27, 2025. Hamon spent 45 years with First National Bank of Leavenworth, now Exchange Bank & Trust, and held numerous civic leadership roles, including with the Kiwanis Club, the Leavenworth Tourism and Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the Leavenworth Development Corporation.
A 67-year member of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, Sister Vickie has devoted her life to education and community service. She taught high school mathematics for 22 years, served as principal of Bishop Hogan High School, and later spent six years as superintendent of diocesan schools.
In 2005, she opened Cristo Rey Kansas City High School and served as its founding president. After retiring from Cristo Rey in 2011, she was inducted into the Mid-America Education Hall of Fame.
In Leavenworth, Sister Vickie helped establish Welcome Central in 2014 and played a key role in forming the Leavenworth Interfaith Community of Hope. She later helped lead the development of Depaul Leavenworth Attainable Housing, working with churches, businesses, and civic leaders to create stable housing opportunities for individuals and families in need.
Although she announced her retirement from housing leadership in 2024, Sister Vickie remains active in justice advocacy.
In accepting the award, Sister Vickie emphasized the collaborative nature of the work.
“This award is for everybody. Nobody does stuff alone,” she said. “Just like Mother Xavier came with her founding Sisters, this is your work, and you have been so supportive of it all the way through. Thank you to everybody who is here. I am really humbled and appreciative of your presence, and for all the work you do for so many people, especially here in Leavenworth.”
