Dorothy Karlson, a career and life management, English and leadership teacher at Bow Valley High School in Cochrane, was the first Rocky View Schools (RVS) teacher and the 14th person ever to receive the Barry Sharpe Award at the 2014 Canadian Student Leadership Conference (CSLC) held in Kelowna, B.C. from Sept. 23 to 27.
“(I was) overwhelmed, surprised, honoured, speechless,” Karlson said of when she was announced the winner.
The Barry Sharpe Award was established in 1995 and is presented to Canadian Student Leadership Association (CSLA) advisors who have given outstanding service to the organization.
Nicole Haire, president of CSLA, said Karlson was selected in part because she was a “key architect of the Rocky View Leadership Academy,” and has served as a role model and mentor to “so many.”
The award is named after Barry Sharpe, former activity director at Yorkton Regional High School (in Saskatchewan), who organized the very first CSLC.
“This award is the highest recognition that an advisor can receive in the realm of student leadership and activities,” according to the CSLA website.
The website states the award is given out “sparingly” because it is intended to be “something special.”
Karlson said Sharpe is “very much a hero” to her.
“He’s been such a role model for me in all my endeavors,” Karlson said. “When you think of the impact that man has had on so many people, it’s just such an honour (to receive this award),” she added.
Karlson has been teaching with RVS since 2000 and has been at Bow Valley High since 2003.
