March 24, 2017
Julie Karn named Outstanding Woman of Laurier
WATERLOO, Ont. (March 24, 2017) - Julie Karn, a third year midfielder on the women’s soceer team, was named the 2017 Outstanding Women of Laurier award recipient on Thursday evening at the 12th annual Outstanding Women of Laurier dinner at Bingemans Conference Centre.
WATERLOO, Ont. (March 24, 2017) - Julie Karn, a third year midfielder on the women's soceer team, was named the 2017 Outstanding Women of Laurier award recipient on Thursday evening at the 12th annual Outstanding Women of Laurier dinner at Bingemans Conference Centre.
Karn, a native of Waterloo, Ont., was one of three nominees for this year's award which included women's hockey team captain Giuliana Pallotta of Beeton, Ont., and women's lacrosse midfielder Jessie Lubert of Elmira, Ont.
"Julie encapsulates everything that this award represents and is a wonderful recipient," said Peter Baxter, Laurier's director of athletics and recreation. "She is an outstanding athlete who excels on the pitch for our women's soccer team and is also an exceptional student in the classroom. On top of all that, she has found so many ways to give back to her community."
Karn, a third year kinesiology and physical education major, becomes the second women's soccer player to receive the award and second in as many years after teammate Jacky Normandeau won the award a year ago.
"I'm speechless. I still can't believe it, I'm shaking. The fact that I received this award is just incredible. I'm very excited," said Karn upon receiving the award.
"It just shows the support that they [Laurier Athletics] provides female athletes," added Karn when asked about the importance of the award. "For this school to even offer this opportunity and this award and this event, just shows how much they support their female athletes through scholarships, athletic awards and programs."
A key member of Laurier's starting 11, Karn has made 31 starts for the Golden Hawks over her career since joining the purple and gold back in 2014, registering five goals and one assist. During the 2015 season, despite missing time due to an injury, the graduate of Bluevale CI was named an OUA Second Team All-Star as she helped Laurier win the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Silver medal and advance to the national championship.
Away from the pitch, Karn, who has also danced professionally since the age of 14, has given her time to teach young dancers at various dance studios in Kitchener-Waterloo while also working with Education of the Next Generation which provides curriculum-based dance workshops to students in the Toronto Catholic School Board. She has also volunteered her time canvassing for the Canadian Cancer Society and the Heart and Stroke Foundation and is in the process of becoming an In-School Mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Waterloo.
Also announced on Thursday evening was the recipient of the Dolores "Mitzi" Michael Women Leaders Scholarship, an award established in memory of Dolores "Mitzi" Michael who served on staff in the department of athletics and recreation between 1972 and 1993. The award is given to one female student who has held a leadership position in the department and has demonstrated leadership qualities that focus on team building and enhancing the student experience.
This year's recipient is Daniella Orsi who has served as the team manager for the men's basketball team for the past three years and is a two-time recipient of the Chuck Classen Golden Hawk Award of Excellence for Team Manager. Orsi has also served as a brand ambassador for Laurier athletics and works at the Athletic Complex Hawk Desk.
Laurier launched the Outstanding Women of Laurier award in 2006 to recognize female students who combine athletic and academic achievement with an active commitment to the community through volunteerism.
The event included an inspirational keynote address from Karina Leblanc, a goalkeeper who was a member of the 2012 Olympic bronze medal winning Canadian women's soccer team, and was hosted by Susan Cook-Scheerer, Host and Associate Producer of Waterloo Region's favourite talk show, daytime on Rogers TV.
This year's event raised close to $23,000 to help support women's athletic initiatives, scholarships and the mentoring program at Laurier.
The event was made possible by leadership sponsors RBC Royal Bank, Miller Thomson LLP and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. Contributing sponsors included Armstrong Partnership LP, College Pro Painters, Great-Canadian Holidays, Coaches and Fleet Services, Mad Hatter Technology, Toyota Manufacturing, as well as a number of Wilfrid Laurier University departments. In-kind sponsors included Robin's Goldsmithing and Brentwood Livery.
Outstanding Women of Laurier Award recipients
2016-17 - Julie Karn (Soccer)
2015-16 - Jacky Normandeau (Soccer/Hockey)
2014-15 - Lee Anna Osei (Basketball)
2013-14 - Bree Chaput (Basketball)
2012-13 - Fiona Lester (Hockey)
2011-12 - Laura Crocker (Curling)
2010-11 - Brittany Shaw (Swimming)
2009-10 - Liz Knox (Hockey)
2008-09 - Hollie Nicol (Curling)
2007-08 - Lauren Meschino (Hockey)
2006-07 - Jillian Ritsma (Basketball)
2005-06 - Fiona Aiston (Hockey)
Karn, a native of Waterloo, Ont., was one of three nominees for this year's award which included women's hockey team captain Giuliana Pallotta of Beeton, Ont., and women's lacrosse midfielder Jessie Lubert of Elmira, Ont.
"Julie encapsulates everything that this award represents and is a wonderful recipient," said Peter Baxter, Laurier's director of athletics and recreation. "She is an outstanding athlete who excels on the pitch for our women's soccer team and is also an exceptional student in the classroom. On top of all that, she has found so many ways to give back to her community."
Karn, a third year kinesiology and physical education major, becomes the second women's soccer player to receive the award and second in as many years after teammate Jacky Normandeau won the award a year ago.
"I'm speechless. I still can't believe it, I'm shaking. The fact that I received this award is just incredible. I'm very excited," said Karn upon receiving the award.
"It just shows the support that they [Laurier Athletics] provides female athletes," added Karn when asked about the importance of the award. "For this school to even offer this opportunity and this award and this event, just shows how much they support their female athletes through scholarships, athletic awards and programs."
A key member of Laurier's starting 11, Karn has made 31 starts for the Golden Hawks over her career since joining the purple and gold back in 2014, registering five goals and one assist. During the 2015 season, despite missing time due to an injury, the graduate of Bluevale CI was named an OUA Second Team All-Star as she helped Laurier win the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Silver medal and advance to the national championship.
Away from the pitch, Karn, who has also danced professionally since the age of 14, has given her time to teach young dancers at various dance studios in Kitchener-Waterloo while also working with Education of the Next Generation which provides curriculum-based dance workshops to students in the Toronto Catholic School Board. She has also volunteered her time canvassing for the Canadian Cancer Society and the Heart and Stroke Foundation and is in the process of becoming an In-School Mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Waterloo.
Also announced on Thursday evening was the recipient of the Dolores "Mitzi" Michael Women Leaders Scholarship, an award established in memory of Dolores "Mitzi" Michael who served on staff in the department of athletics and recreation between 1972 and 1993. The award is given to one female student who has held a leadership position in the department and has demonstrated leadership qualities that focus on team building and enhancing the student experience.
This year's recipient is Daniella Orsi who has served as the team manager for the men's basketball team for the past three years and is a two-time recipient of the Chuck Classen Golden Hawk Award of Excellence for Team Manager. Orsi has also served as a brand ambassador for Laurier athletics and works at the Athletic Complex Hawk Desk.
Laurier launched the Outstanding Women of Laurier award in 2006 to recognize female students who combine athletic and academic achievement with an active commitment to the community through volunteerism.
The event included an inspirational keynote address from Karina Leblanc, a goalkeeper who was a member of the 2012 Olympic bronze medal winning Canadian women's soccer team, and was hosted by Susan Cook-Scheerer, Host and Associate Producer of Waterloo Region's favourite talk show, daytime on Rogers TV.
This year's event raised close to $23,000 to help support women's athletic initiatives, scholarships and the mentoring program at Laurier.
The event was made possible by leadership sponsors RBC Royal Bank, Miller Thomson LLP and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. Contributing sponsors included Armstrong Partnership LP, College Pro Painters, Great-Canadian Holidays, Coaches and Fleet Services, Mad Hatter Technology, Toyota Manufacturing, as well as a number of Wilfrid Laurier University departments. In-kind sponsors included Robin's Goldsmithing and Brentwood Livery.
Outstanding Women of Laurier Award recipients
2016-17 - Julie Karn (Soccer)
2015-16 - Jacky Normandeau (Soccer/Hockey)
2014-15 - Lee Anna Osei (Basketball)
2013-14 - Bree Chaput (Basketball)
2012-13 - Fiona Lester (Hockey)
2011-12 - Laura Crocker (Curling)
2010-11 - Brittany Shaw (Swimming)
2009-10 - Liz Knox (Hockey)
2008-09 - Hollie Nicol (Curling)
2007-08 - Lauren Meschino (Hockey)
2006-07 - Jillian Ritsma (Basketball)
2005-06 - Fiona Aiston (Hockey)
