Middletown presents Kayla Harrison with proclamation, key to the city and $5,000 gift to Hope House

MIDDLETOWN, Ohio — The Middletown City Council, represented onstage by Mayor Elizabeth Slamka, honored Kayla Harrison onstage with a proclamation and a ceremonial key to the city as the crowd cheered. Harrison, a two-time Olympic judo gold medalist who in June won the UFC women’s bantamweight title, accepted the recognition and presented a $5,000 check to the local nonprofit Hope House.

Harrison, introduced as the guest of honor, told the audience she grew up “right down the street on Manchester Road,” credited her grandparents and family for shaping her, and described her early experience in judo, including several years of losses before a breakthrough win at a small Indiana tournament. “That’s when I knew I wanted to be the best in the world at something,” she said.

The mayor framed the honors as civic recognition of Harrison’s athletic and community accomplishments. Mayor Elizabeth Slamka called Harrison “a role model for us all” and read a proclamation that recounts Harrison’s judo world and Olympic titles, subsequent PFL championships and her move to the UFC. The proclamation, read aloud by the mayor, notes Harrison’s local roots and her efforts volunteering with organizations in Middletown before presenting the key to the city.

Harrison described the Olympic victories and the personal challenges that preceded them, saying reaching the podium felt surreal after difficult periods in her life. Asked about the label of “greatness,” she said, “I’m not done yet,” and framed her purpose as using her platform to give back and inspire others.

The event included a short presentation to Hope House, a Middletown nonprofit Harrison said she and her mother had volunteered with when she was young. Harrison presented Hope House representatives with a $5,000 check “to continue their mission,” and the group received applause from the audience.

The program closed with remarks of thanks from Harrison, who reiterated that Middletown “has my heart,” and with Mayor Slamka and others thanking the champion for returning to her hometown. The presentation was ceremonial; no council ordinance or formal vote was recorded in the program.