Amelia Sugden. Photo by BB Rivas / El Concilio Family Services
Editor’s note: Part of a continuing series of stories profiling the award-winners of El Concilio Family Service 2013 Latino Leadership Awards. The awards gala will be held on Friday, June 7, 2013 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. The event is sold out. Click here or call 805-486-9777 for more information.
Amigos805 staff reports
Amelia Sugden, whose parents are immigrants from Jalisco, Mexico, was raised in the United States with frequent visits to her parents’ hometowns in Mexico. She has lived in Ventura County since 1986 and has served with the Oxnard School District since 1998.
“I am fortunate to have been raised by parents with a strong sense of community that modeled volunteerism. I have benefited personally and professionally from their active involvement in my schooling,” she wrote in her acceptance letter. “Their advocacy opened doors for me that could have remained closed. Their presence kept me from harm that could have limited the options in my life. When I was appointed principal of Richard B. Haydock Intermediate School, one of the first things I noted was a lack of parent engagement in their children’s schooling. I know this is not a cultural phenomenon, so I decided to look at the other variables that could be impacting that involvement. I have worked diligently to make the school more accessible to parents, and to promote leadership and advocacy skill-building in the adults of this community.”
One nominating letter stated, “Three words summarize Amelia Sugden’s contributions to the education community in Oxnard: Commitment, Compassion and Creativity. Ms. Sugden brought a wealth of experience to education and has contributed to quality improvements within the Oxnard School District. Her vision is guided by her conviction that all students, parents and staff deserve the best programs, services and opportunities.… Her involvement with the Oxnard Alliance for Community Strength furthered the opportunity to enlist parents to become active leaders in improving the community as exemplified by the coordinated efforts around bullying prevention.”
For more information on El Concilio’s programs and services, visit www.elconciliofs.org or call 805-486-9777.