On Saturday, March 12, 2022 the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce held their annual Chamber Dinner at the Tiger Point Golf and Event Center. Not only is this dinner the Chamber's largest fundraiser, it is also when they continue the tradition of announcing the Citizen of the Year award. This year, that honor fell to Karl Turk, teacher and coach at Cloverdale Community School Corporation.
The night started simply enough with community members meeting and greeting each other and finding their seats. Karl Turk and his students also met with many community members, explaining they were there volunteering for the dinner.
As Karl explained, he was there with his JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates) students; a program designed to help students achieve a successful career with resume writing techniques, help with college applications, or even just going through the interview projects. He was proud of his students and their willingness to perform a community service by volunteering to assist with dinner functions.
For two hours, Karl praised his students as they walked around the tables, clearing plates and meeting the community. He spoke with everyone, or at least tried to. One woman kept her head down and Karl decided to respect her body language and leave her alone. He never noticed it was own mother, hiding in plain sight, ready to celebrate an honor Karl did not yet know.
Superintendent Greg Linton introducing Karl Turk
As Karl took to the podium, in gracious surprise of the award, he stumbled through the beginning of his speech. Sitting front and center was the woman who kept her head down, his mother, whom he had not been able to see for six months. Karl counted the many blessings he’s received since joining the Cloverdale Community six years ago.
Karl Turk acceptance speech
He was born and raised in Indianapolis, but his career took him to Terre Haute, then to Texas where he taught at a high school and was a basketball coach. While he loved his position in Texas, he was missing home so when his good friend, Coach Pat Rady of Cloverdale, called about the opportunity at the Cloverdale Community School Corporation, Karl headed home to Indiana.
Karl Turk has been the Cloverdale Spanish teacher since 2017, basketball coach, middle school ad, and JAG educator. He has aided in the positive atmosphere at the school, involves himself with the school activities, and actively works with his student, sometimes staying up late to help students with their college entrance letters. It is because of his hard work, enthusiasm, and desire to help his students and his community that he was chosen for the Citizen of the Year Award.
