Learning a matter for life say graduates
Ten years ago, Darlene Kavka became a leading advocate in her Courtenay community over concerns that high voltage power lines could cause cancer. With a natural ability to speak effectively, she knew she had a special talent for standing up for the things in which she believed.
A few years later, she went to bat as a volunteer advocate for the school reinstatement of a disabled nine-year old girl in Hudson's Hope, B.C.
"I realized I wasn't as effective for my clients as an advocate as I could be as a lawyer," she says.
Kavka decided to see if there was any law school that would consider accepting a 37-year-old former dental assistant with a high school education. She turned down Osgoode Hall and came to UBC.
In addition to raising two children, dealing with a nasty car accident and struggling to make ends meet while going to school full-time, Kavka has realized her dream. She graduates this month with her Law degree.
"I have found a great level of discipline in law school that I didn't have as a younger person fresh out of high school," Kavka says. "And the moral support of the faculty and staff has been tremendous. Their kindness and concern has given me faith in myself."
Kavka was initially surprised and then reassured to find herself among students in their 40s and 50s.
"People aren't looking at themselves being finished at 40 and I think that's a healthy attitude," she says. "I had a lot of brilliant people surrounding me in class and I've been proud to be in their midst."
Kavka is also honoured that she was the only law student to sit on the Benchers Equity and Diversity Committee of the Law Society of B.C. A strong proponent of the Charter of Rights, Kavka believes it must apply to everyone and "shouldn't just be the best rights money can buy."
Kavka is adamant about not sacrificing her principles to fit the system.
"I'm leaving law school with my ideals intact. I feel good about that," she says.
Opting not to practise in a big-city law firm, she will start her legal career in Dawson Creek.
She plans to continue honing her advocacy skills and hopes to become involved in all aspects of family law, general litigation, criminal defence, real estate transactions, wills and estates.
"My goal is to speak for those who can't. The fact that I really believe in what I'm doing is what gives me the strength to speak up," Kavka says.