Dr. K.A. Clark Public School celebrated its 50th anniversary on Thursday.
Students, staff and parents joined together in the school gym to celebrate with several speeches and a time capsule presentation.
Tany Yao, MLA Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo spoke of his time as a student at the school, followed by MLA of Fort McMurray-Conklin Laila Goodridge who spoke of the importance of the school and the legacy of Dr. Clark.
Dr. Karl A. Clark made a major contribution to the oilsands industry after 1929, when Robert Fitzsimmons formed International Bitumen.
Clark discovered that changing the pH of the oilsand slurry would create separation between the bitumen and the other components.
Linda Mywaart, chair of the Fort McMurray Public School District spoke of her “strong and long-standing connection” with the school and the various roles she’s taken on over 36 years.
Superintendent Doug Nichols referred to the school as an integral part of the region’s history.
“We are proud of everything the Leader in Me school has accomplished ranging from academics, excellent programming, championing diversity, and fostering partnerships.”
Historian Bert MacKay relayed messages from Rachel Notley and the grandchildren of Dr. Clark, who said that if their grandfather could have attended the celebration he would have been very pleased.
Each class added a special item to a time capsule before singing Happy Birthday to their school. One class created a list of 50 reasons they love the school.
Councillor Krista Balsom presented the school with a plaque, flowers and a municipal flag to put in the time capsule on behalf of Mayor Don Scott and council.
Clark’s name is well known in Alberta on Clark Cres., at the Oil Sands Discovery Centre, Karl Clark Road, Devon and overall is known as the “Father of Oilsands Chemistry”.
