2004 Lifetime Achievement Award: Kathleen Mackie

Kathleen was unable to accept her award in person because of family commitments. Here are the remarks made by Dolores Andrew as she presented the award

Kathleen received her Teacher's Certification in 1981, a few years after I did, in the days of our Valentine Connection. We were fairly well acquainted then, but it wasn't until she started the NAN Judging Certification Program that I came to know her well.

For several years in the early 80s, there had been discussion within the various organizations about the need for Certified Judges. For some reason, I was involved in some of the discussions, but Kathleen decided to do something about it, and began to design the NAN Judging Program in 1985-86.

It was introduced at the Assembly in 1986, which was still held in Richmond at the good old John Marshall Hotel. I decided to audit to see if I would be interested. However... before I knew what hit me, Kathleen had me fully enrolled in the program !

There were five of us in that first class, and Kathleen was a wonder and a delight to work with. We finished and became the first Certified Judges in 1987--- a rare breed in those days !!

Because Certified Judges were so rare, we had little to go on for guidelines. Kathleen told us that she based many of her principles on her experiences as an ice skating judge!! She had been a professional skater in Sonia Heme's ice shows.

To everyone's surprise, Kathleen resigned at the end of that Assembly, and to my even greater surprise, I was appointed her successor as Director of Judging Certification. I had 15 minutes notice that I was succeeding this incredible lady! Later in the spring, I spent a whole day with Kathleen on her Virginia farm, where she shared her information, her expertise, and her philosophy with me. I came away humble, but ready to try to succeed her.

Kathleen didn't retire. She went on to begin a similar, but different Judging Program for ANG. EGA started their Judging Program about then also, but I believe that NAN was the first.

Twenty years ago, a Certified Judge was an "Unknown Quantity," and looked on with a bit of skepticism by the local "experts," who had been judging at most shows until that time. Kathleen gave us credibility along with our Certification, and today we all are accepted and welcomed. I have since judged twice with Kathleen, both in National shows. I have found her to be a fair, unbiased, and very ethical person to work with -- as a NAN judge should be, of course. She is knowledgeable, with a quiet way, and a wonderful sense of humor. I am proud to be her friend. It is my pleasure to present Kathleen Mackie with the NAN 2004 Lifetime Achievement Award.

Pictures of Kathleen's work are unavailable for viewing on the Web.