The Olds Institute's Community Lifestyles Committee nominated three local women for the Red Deer and District Community Foundation's 10th annual Women of Excellence awards.
The Olds Institute's Community Lifestyles Committee nominated three local women for the Red Deer and District Community Foundation's 10th annual Women of Excellence awards. The Albertan is featuring each of the women and their accomplishments in the lead-up to the awards gala on June 7 in Red Deer.
This week's profile is of Dot Negropontes who, sadly, passed May 16.
They may not know it, but every high school student in Olds is a walking, talking tribute to Dot Negropontes.
In her nomination in the Women of Excellence education category, Negropontes is being recognized for her role in the creation of the Community Learning Campus (CLC), home to Olds High School (OHS) since 2010.
Negropontes began her own education at a rural grade school just outside of Olds, before moving to the town and attending Olds Junior-Senior High School. She went on to complete her degree in education at the University of Calgary, then returned to the Chinook's Edge School Division where she spent her career as a teacher, vice-principal, principal and administrator.
"She was recognized by management for her gentle way of bringing out the best in people," said Rita Thompson, who was the driving force behind Negropontes' nomination.
Negropontes went on to earn a master's degree from the University of Oregon, and then began working on her doctorate, which she completed in 2010, just as the doors of the CLC were opening.
Negropontes was the executive director of the innovative project, managing construction of the $70-million facility, and acting as a liaison between a myriad of stakeholders, including the school division, Olds College, the high school, Alberta Education and the Town of Olds.
"Her complex role, and its associated responsibilities, provided the unshakable foundation for the building, maintenance, and renewal of the joint venture agreement," wrote Tom Thompson, outgoing president of Olds College, in his letter of support for her nomination.
The development of the CLC not only changed educational practices at OHS, it has also garnered recognition across North America. Negropontes has been invited to share the results of the community learning concept with experts across the continent.
"Since its inception, educators from around the world have flocked to Olds, Alta., to learn about the CLC's unique barrier-free program model," wrote Thompson. "Without Dot's steady influence and guiding hand, virtually none of (this) would have been possible."
In addition to the creation of the CLC, Negropontes also responded to the community's request to include a fine arts facility in the overall plan, leading to the creation of the Fine Arts and Multi-media Centre, including the Trans-Canada Theatre, which opened in 2008.
"Dot recognizes that one person does not have all the answers or ideas," said Rita Thompson during the appreciation dinner, "and that the collaboration of many results in a superior outcome."
Drawing different groups of people together seemed to be what Negropontes did best.
"I don't know that mom would have taken as much credit for it as other people will give her, because she was a pretty humble lady," said her son John Negropontes, "but I think a big part of the reason why (the CLC) exists – if I may be so bold – is because mom really worked to bring the disparate people together."
John Negropontes said his mother not only worked to pull people together, she also pulled others up.
"She was a really good mentor. Both men and women – she spotted something in them, that she knew, this person is worth nurturing," he said. "She recognized the potential in others, and really worked to help them realize it."
Beyond her tireless work in education, Negropontes was also a champion for making Olds a better place. In 2015, she brought Anonymous Good to town, acting as the Canadian contact for the online-based charity, and challenging local residents to do 5,000 random acts of kindness.
"Dot envisioned living in a place where people are looking for ways to help one another," said Thompson. "Schools, clubs, local athletes and leaders in Olds 'getting their good on.'"
While the April 13 appreciation dinner for the Women of Excellence nominees was meant to be a celebration, there was a noticeable absence at the table. At the time, Negropontes was critically ill and being cared for at the Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary.
"It is truly an honour that we are nominating Dot, but I am doing it with a bit of a heavy heart," said Thompson, asking those at the dinner to send love and light in her direction. "She needs to know how much she is appreciated and loved by her community, for all she has done."
"She was definitely honoured to be considered and nominated. She was really touched," said John Negropontes. "There are a lot of people who know how awesome my mom was. It's nice to see some official recognition coming along with that."
It may be small comfort, but in her passing, she has left something behind.
"Her legacy lives on in the hundreds of students served in one of the finest, next-generation education models in Canada," wrote Thompson.
Around town, around Alberta, and further: every Olds High School student – those now and those to come – add up to hundreds of little dots on the map.
Olds High School officials say a funeral service for Dot will be held this Thursday evening (May 25) at 7 p.m. in the Ralph Klein Centre gym. In addition the Olds Institute rebooted an Anonymous Good campaign in honour of Dot Negropontes, challenging the community to do 150 acts of good by July 1. #Good4_Dot
"She was recognized by management for her gentle way of bringing out the best in people."RITA THOMPSON, NOMINATOR
