Karynn Flory-Simmons has been a part of the curling community for over 20 years, many of those spent competing in provincial and national events at the junior, collegiate, and ladies' levels. For four years, she traveled to elementary schools across Northern Alberta, introducing students to the sport of curling. While assistant managing at the Avonair Curling Club, she brought elementary and junior high students into the rink for learn-to-curl events and co-hosted adult learn-to-curl clinics.

Flory-Simmons spent four years playing for NAIT curling, medaling in all four ACAC Provincials and CCAA Nationals, including one Provincial Championship. In 2021, she took over the reins as the Head Coach of the Ooks. Under her guidance, two or more NAIT curling teams have placed at each Championship showing, with the NAIT Ooks men's team punching their ticket to the CCAA Nationals in the 2022-23 season

"We are so proud of Karynn for earning this award. She put in a lot of time organizing NAIT Curling and navigating the challenges of finding a new curling facility for her team to train and host the ACAC competition this past season. It is a pleasure to have her as our curling coach, and we would like to congratulate her on receiving this special honour," said NAIT Athletics and Recreation Director Jordan Richey. 

This prestigious award will be recognized at the 2024 ACAC Curling Championship hosted by SAIT in Calgary, Alberta.