Karen Brookman is a 2022 graduate from Sydney Academy in Sydney, Nova Scotia. With a keen love for learning, Karen focused on a diverse mixture of science and arts courses throughout high school and graduated with an International Baccalaureate Certificate in Higher Level English Literature. Karen has involved herself in extracurriculars like volunteer tutoring, the Green Team, and was Vice President of Sydney Academy’s Key Club during her senior year. Additionally, she was awarded a Service Award for her work helping her school and the student body. Outside of her school activities, Karen pursues artistic hobbies like painting, and sells her art for additional income. Growing up on Cape Breton Island has allowed for Karen to gain a deeper understanding of the environmental hazards that affect her island’s unique geography. Due to her dedication to the environment and geology, Karen was selected to participate in a national CBC event focused on the topic of climate change journalism.

Karen will be pursuing a BSc. in Environmental Geoscience at Acadia in the fall of 2022, and plans to explore the impacts of coastal erosion with intentions to do research on mitigation methods best suited for implementation in coastal communities like Nova Scotia.