HomeMy WebLinkAbout06(A) - 2023 Cora B. McQuestion Spirit of Prior Lake Award: Kathy Dawson ReportNominee for Spirit of Prior Lake Award: Kathy Dawson:
Kathy Dawson is a 5th generation Prior Lake resident. Her great, great grandparents were one of the first
pioneer families to settle in Prior Lake in 1866. Her great, great grandfather, Edwin Simpkins was on the first
school board and her great-grandfather attended the first school in Prior Lake, which was held in his aunt and
uncle’s log home. Kathy’s grandchildren are the 6th generation to attend Prior Lake schools. Cora McQUestion
was a teacher as was Kathy who taught Special Education for 30 years. Seems to me, as last years award
winner that Kathy stands alone in consideration for the 2023 Spirit Award.
Prior Lake Optimists
• Joined 2014
• President 2019-2021 (2 terms 1 during Covid)
• Optimist of the Year award 2018-2019
• Outstanding Service Award 2020-2021
• Activities include Feed my Starving Children, Fall Community Fest, “Fill the Bowl” & Sleep in Heavenly
Peace.
• Administrator for their Facebook page and is their photographer.
Prior Lake Chamber:
• PLSOC representative since 2016
• Ambassador for the Chamber since 2018
• Nominated for Business Person of the Year 2020
Prior Lake Association Board Member:
• Joined 2017: Supports many events and chairs their annual photo contest.
Arts and Culture Committee:
• Was selected to the committee, November, 2021. Served one term. The purpose of the committee is
to bring art and cultural events to the city. My knowledge of the history of Prior Lake was my strength
for this committee.
One of Kathy’s passions is the preservation of the history of Prior Lake. Her extended family has researched
the history of Prior Lake for over 50 years and her focus to share that information with the community. She
was able to work with Charlie’s, Lakers Restaurant, and Hazel Blue to display historical pictures of Prior Lake in
their businesses. The chamber has pictures in their window display and also used them in the PL monopoly
game. When the city commissioned the mural on the Nuvera building, the artist spent many hours with Kathy
going over pictures and the history, culture of the city. When information is requested by the city, chamber or
citizens she researches the topic and promptly get back to the people. Kathy met with the new PLS
superintendent to discuss the history of Prior Lake Schools and gave him a binder with all the history and
pictures.
Kathy enjoys photography and will often go to community events, take pictures and share them on community
sites. She maintains an extensive collection of historical photographs.
Kathy’s current projects are:
• Working with the Prior Lake Police Department researching the history of law enforcement from
1890’s to present.
• Working with the Prior Lake schools on the history of the district to put the information in a cloud
based server so everything will be available to view online.
• Working with the VFW design committee on the historical aspects of the VFW and the building and
how to incorporate the history into the newly remodeled VFW.
In light of her impressive local genealogy and extensive community engagement I believe that Kathy Dawson is
the ideal candidate for the 2023 Spirit of Prior Lake award. As the award winner last year, I humbly ask that
the committee consider awarding the prize to Kathy this year.