Ever wanted to lend someone a hand but weren’t sure if you had the time? Kathleen Pravlik (Visual Communications, '84) not only overcame that pesky scheduling conflict, she managed to invest both her time and talent in the Tampa Bay division of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of Florida – while running her own business. Now, after 10 years of volunteering, she’s being honored as Florida’s “Big Sister of the Year.”

Pravlik has been working with her Little Sister, Jamie, since 1995. Then, Jamie was only 8 years old and in need of a helping hand. Jamie's father, Scott, contacted Big Brothers Big Sisters because he felt his daughter needed a positive female role model in her life. Meanwhile, Pravlik had always felt she could make a difference in a child’s life if she had the chance. The two were paired together and their friendship has blossomed into a model example of the impact the organization strives to achieve. This June, Jamie will graduate from high school, thanks in no small part to the relationship she and Pravlik have developed.

As admirable as Pravlik’s volunteerism has been, it doesn’t stop when she gets home. Self-employed through her company, KAP Design, Pravlik has also helped design the Association’s newsletters and event invitations, produced the art for their bus benches and created the agency’s brochure – all on a pro bono basis or at a significant discount from her regular rates.

But it’s Pravlik’s work with Jamie, not her artistic nods, that have earned her recognition as Florida’s “Big Sister of the Year,” and which will now see her nominated for the national award through Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, even as she’s helping Jamie prepare for graduation. Somehow, stories like this help everyone’s schedule seem a bit more open.