Karla Horton is the Energizer bunny in human form; always on the go and eager to beat everyone else’s drum rather than her own.
Since stepping into the role as Child Nutrition Supervisor at Bossier Schools six years ago, Horton (pictured in the middle) has implemented sweeping initiatives that have resulted in more than three-million meals being served each year to children and passing along staggering savings to families. But first, the long-time Registered Dietitian made it her mission to inject camaraderie in her department and boost morale, something that Horton saw was lacking.
“It was important to me to connect with my staff, empower them, and provide a fair and supportive atmosphere,” Horton explained. “Each one of my staff plays an important role and is valued, so I’m always looking for creative ways to show them that I truly care. Implementing little things like having yearly themes, interactive quizzes, raffles and games brings an element of fun to our team meetings. It is my hope that through these little things, my staff will see that I truly care.”
Horton’s leadership style was seen as a breath of fresh air and quickly embraced. Tracy Patterson works in Child Nutrition and is one of those who sings her praises.
“Karla has a very big heart,” Patterson said. “She always goes above and beyond to make sure that everyone is taken care of. She absolutely loves her employees and work family 100-percent.”
“Mrs. Karla has the sweetest personality and goes above and beyond to make sure all the child nutrition employees are well taken care of,” added Cynthia Evans. “She always puts her whole heart in everything she does! She is very understanding and wants to make the best out of any situation. We love Karla Horton!”
“The word 'moderation’ does not exist in my vocabulary,” laughed Horton. “I give 210-percent to everything that I do. Excellence is always the goal; mediocrity is not an option. When I see a need, I want to do everything that I can to meet it in the best way possible.”
Case in point, Horton found a way to qualify 28 Bossier schools for the federal Community Eligibility Provision program, which enables students to eat breakfast and lunch for free, regardless of household income. That has led to huge numbers of students eating at school each day who were not before.
When COVID shuttered schools in March 2020, Horton immediately jumped into action to mobilize a parish-wide emergency curbside meal program that served more than 180,000 children over a 10-week period.
Then rewind a few months ago, when Horton led the charge to offer weekly summer meal boxes to families with children 18 and younger. More than a half-million were distributed as part of the USDA-designated rural school program.
It is her efforts to go the extra mile that has also gained Horton a legion of fans among school principals. Haughton Middle School Principal Richard Warren is one of them.
“She is an excellent leader who truly understands servant leadership,” Warren commented. “This summer, she started the meal plan for students while they were out of school. She worked countless hours to ensure the families in our community were supported. She is the best!”
Benton Intermediate School Principal Jennifer Burris could not agree more, adding that Horton exemplifies leadership even during stressful times, demonstrating grace under pressure while responding with unwavering positivity and encouragement.
“This past summer, as she prepared to launch the Summer Meal Distribution program, I spoke with her and learned that she had been running on just a few hours of sleep for multiple days to ensure the program’s success,” Burris added. “Her dedication to ensuring students and families had access to meals during the summer was truly inspiring.”
It is Horton’s ability to lead with kindness, her tireless work ethic and her dedication to excellence that led Warren, Burris and many members of her Child Nutrition staff to nominate her for Bossier Schools’ first Gold Star employee award for the 2024-25 year. Horton sat in tears as she was surprised with the Gold Star at a Bossier Parish School Board meeting. She was in attendance to cheer on her own staff that was being recognized for their efforts to facilitate the summer curbside meal program. Again, she was there to beat someone else’s drum other than her own.
“I cried tears of joy and was in a complete state of awe,” Horton reflected. “It was very heartwarming and fulfilling to hear that the hard work and passion that I pour into my job and my employees was felt and seen. It was amazing to hear that I made a difference in other’s lives.”
Editor’s note: Know someone who works for Bossier Schools that is deserving of recognition for going above and beyond? Nominate them for the Gold Star award, proudly sponsored for the 12th year by Bossier Federal Credit Union. Click here to tell us what sets them apart and be watching for our next Gold Star surprise.