Celebrating their winner

Marisa O’Neil

One class at Christ Lutheran School got a first-hand lesson in civics

when they nominated parent Linda Olson for the Mayor’s Award -- and

she won it this week.

Fifth-grade teacher Jen Canning came across the award nomination

form on the city’s Web site while giving a lesson on local government

in March. As part of an assignment, each student had to nominate

someone for the award, and a couple weeks ago, they got the news that

Olson would be receiving the honors.

“They were ecstatic about her getting the award,” Canning said.

“The whole school made a big sign congratulating her.”

Olson received the award at Monday night’s City Council meeting

with more than two dozen supporters on hand, and the school held a

special reception for her on Wednesday. She has two children,

11-year-old Emily and 9-year-old Parker, at the school.

“I love this school,” Olson said. “It’s such a great school, and I

want to see it become greater.”

A former Parent Teacher League president, Olson has been involved

in grant writing for the school, started science and art programs and

served on multiple committees.

“She’s here, like, all the time and at every fund-raiser and

everything,” said 11-year-old Oliver Lewis, who nominated Olson for

the award. “And she’s always happy.”

Mayor Gary Monahan gives out the award about every month. He said

the standards for receiving it are deliberately broad but that, as a

parent himself, he appreciated Olson’s efforts at the school.

“I was impressed by the amount of volunteer work and her continued

commitment to the school and the amount of support she has from

everyone,” Monahan said.

Though the students who nominated her are now in the sixth grade,

they remember her work in Canning’s class, work that continues in the

rest of the school.

“She runs all the fund-raisers and helps out a lot in the

classroom,” said 11-year-old Tori Calhoon, who also nominated Olson.

“She’s very organized and a kind and compassionate person.”