Where Are They Now? — Karen Olson (Gardner)
It has been interesting to read what everyone has been up to, but not quite as interesting as the psychological profiles I have worked up on each of you. Joking! I do have a master’s degree in counseling (University of Arizona) and I work with a lot of people with psychiatric diagnoses, but I mostly deal with career and education decisions, so I wasn’t really psychoanalyzing anyone…that much.
My career in social services exposes me to the most interesting people and situations as I visit homes, mental health clinics, prisons, shelters and workplaces. The people I meet are as diverse (okay, quite a bit more diverse in some ways) as Bulldogs are in terms of education, relationships, experience, etc., but many are far less fortunate. I have worked with people with disabilities since I graduated from BYU 16 years ago, but most recently I have had the honor of helping veterans with disabilities deal with their adjustment and re-careering issues. (Page about politics intentionally left blank.)
A few years after college, I landed state and federal contracts and started my own agency, Focus Employment Services. I have 25 wonderful children, excuse me, employees, who help people access community resources and find jobs. Mistaking my employees for children has more to do with my sense of responsibility than how they behave. On second thought…. Anyway, I’m part social worker, part business person. And, I work too much.
My twins, Pierce and Kassidy, are 6 years old. Twins get a lot of attention, so here are the answers to the most FAQs asked by total strangers: yes, by choice I was married for 12 years before having kids; no, I did not use fertility drugs; no, they are not identical, they have different parts; yes, I am very lucky to get two for one; yes, I do have my hands full. I am also lucky to have met Jim during college and experience a lot of stuff like travel, school and business ventures before settling in Scottsdale, Arizona. We still travel some and make a point to come to Utah a few times a year to snowboard and see family.
I still run quite a bit, but I tend to do more training than races. I ran my first marathon during high school with Ben Rand and held a record for a few years until some x-country runner from Timpview beat my 3:22. I saw Craig Anderson during my second marathon, but I’m guessing from his comments (or was it a look?) he didn’t go back for more. Sorry, Rob McKay, I have qualified for Boston a few times, but girls get to run slower and still qualify. I later switched to triathlons and competed in several including a race through a rainforest in Costa Rica and a few XTERRA races which include a swim, off-road mountain bike and trail run.
Unfortunately, I feel a little out of the loop only being in touch with Lance Benzley and Suzanne Seegmiller on occasion. I believe Greg Stott still works a block from my house, but I’ve only seen him once. Thanks, Vicki Thompson, for always sending me a Christmas card.
See you at dinner on Friday.
Memories from HS:
How did we ever get permission to put Rob McKay’s VW bus on the assembly stage during student body elections? On the football field before games?
I think I have to be the only homecoming queen ever to go to the homecoming game alone. My friends were all cheerleaders and I don’t know where the other friends were that voted me in. Thanks again, Katy Lindsay, for letting me borrow your dress.
Germany, the Berlin Wall and all the students who got to go but, thanks to Mr. Chambers, didn’t know a word of German.
Studying for Mr. Webb’s zoology exams with Page Clark until wee hours in the morning. Or, were we really talking about Craig, Greg, Dan, Jim K, Mark M., etc?
Running twice a day during the summer in preparation for x-country season. And, many very long track meets.
Spending Christmas vacation with Suzanne Seegmiller and many others to complete our beautiful year book.
My career in social services exposes me to the most interesting people and situations as I visit homes, mental health clinics, prisons, shelters and workplaces. The people I meet are as diverse (okay, quite a bit more diverse in some ways) as Bulldogs are in terms of education, relationships, experience, etc., but many are far less fortunate. I have worked with people with disabilities since I graduated from BYU 16 years ago, but most recently I have had the honor of helping veterans with disabilities deal with their adjustment and re-careering issues. (Page about politics intentionally left blank.)
A few years after college, I landed state and federal contracts and started my own agency, Focus Employment Services. I have 25 wonderful children, excuse me, employees, who help people access community resources and find jobs. Mistaking my employees for children has more to do with my sense of responsibility than how they behave. On second thought…. Anyway, I’m part social worker, part business person. And, I work too much.
My twins, Pierce and Kassidy, are 6 years old. Twins get a lot of attention, so here are the answers to the most FAQs asked by total strangers: yes, by choice I was married for 12 years before having kids; no, I did not use fertility drugs; no, they are not identical, they have different parts; yes, I am very lucky to get two for one; yes, I do have my hands full. I am also lucky to have met Jim during college and experience a lot of stuff like travel, school and business ventures before settling in Scottsdale, Arizona. We still travel some and make a point to come to Utah a few times a year to snowboard and see family.
I still run quite a bit, but I tend to do more training than races. I ran my first marathon during high school with Ben Rand and held a record for a few years until some x-country runner from Timpview beat my 3:22. I saw Craig Anderson during my second marathon, but I’m guessing from his comments (or was it a look?) he didn’t go back for more. Sorry, Rob McKay, I have qualified for Boston a few times, but girls get to run slower and still qualify. I later switched to triathlons and competed in several including a race through a rainforest in Costa Rica and a few XTERRA races which include a swim, off-road mountain bike and trail run.
Unfortunately, I feel a little out of the loop only being in touch with Lance Benzley and Suzanne Seegmiller on occasion. I believe Greg Stott still works a block from my house, but I’ve only seen him once. Thanks, Vicki Thompson, for always sending me a Christmas card.
See you at dinner on Friday.
Memories from HS:
How did we ever get permission to put Rob McKay’s VW bus on the assembly stage during student body elections? On the football field before games?
I think I have to be the only homecoming queen ever to go to the homecoming game alone. My friends were all cheerleaders and I don’t know where the other friends were that voted me in. Thanks again, Katy Lindsay, for letting me borrow your dress.
Germany, the Berlin Wall and all the students who got to go but, thanks to Mr. Chambers, didn’t know a word of German.
Studying for Mr. Webb’s zoology exams with Page Clark until wee hours in the morning. Or, were we really talking about Craig, Greg, Dan, Jim K, Mark M., etc?
Running twice a day during the summer in preparation for x-country season. And, many very long track meets.
Spending Christmas vacation with Suzanne Seegmiller and many others to complete our beautiful year book.
Comments
What a great work you do as a counselor/social worker. It was good to read what you're up to. It seems like a long time since going to primary with you in the good old 13th ward.
I wish you the best.
Lois Decker (Brown)
You still look fantastic. You can stop a mans heart! JW