Karen (McKinzie) Carlson, born March 1, 1960, is a SHS graduate of 1978. While attending Sterling High School, Karen participated in basketball, volleyball, and softball. In basketball her junior year, Karen had a season record of 83 field goals, 58 free throws, 175 rebounds, 48 recoveries, 43 assists, and a total of 242 points, playing 74 quarters in the season. Karen also received SHS's Most Valuable Player Award and the Pat McKinzie '75 Free Throw Award in 1977. In addition, the 1977 basketball team is also a member of the SHS Hall of Fame, had a record of 21-0, and the first State Championship Team. Captain of the 1978 basketball team, Karen had 124 field goals, 41 free throws, 159 rebounds, 69 recoveries, 48 assists, and a total of 289 points, playing 77 quarters. At the conclusion of the year she received the MVP Award again and the Hustle Award. A starting forward all three years on the varsity team, Karen had a career record of 207 field goals, 99 free throws, 334 rebounds, 159 recoveries, 127 assists, and 531 total points, playing in 151 quarters. She also captured the SHS record for most consecutive free throws made in one game shooting nine. Participating on the volleyball team, Karen received the Hustle Award her senior year. At the conclusion of her high school athletic career, she received the Roscoe Eades Award. Attending LaCross College in 1978, she was a member of the girls basketball team. She then attended Illinois State University, where she graduated with her BA in therapeutic recreation in 1982. She was then employed by Richard Young Hospital in Omaha, Neb., as a therapeutic recreation specialist. Later she and her family moved to Golden Valley, Minn., where she was employed by Augustana Nursing Home.