Sudan High School’s student council advisor, Elizabeth Dugan, received the 2024-2025 High School Advisor of the Year award from District 5 of the Texas Association of Student Councils (TASC).
Additionally, the Midland native is a nominee for the TASC Eddie G. Bull State Advisor of the Year.
According to the TASC website, the non-profit organization serves nearly 1,400 member schools across Texas.
Serving as the student council advisor for two years, Dugan previously led her students to win two Outstanding Student Council and Sweepstakes awards.
Before earning various accolades for student council, Dugan started her education at Texas Tech University, where she received her degree in university studies.
Through delegating potential career paths and witnessing her family members work as teachers, Dugan realized education was the path for her.
“I was like, ‘Now I need to go get my license – because this is where I want to be.’” From there, Dugan received her master’s in instructional design from Western University.
Through working in various academics and sports programs, Dugan aspired to continue enriching the lives of her students, no matter their background.
“It’s nice to have people who show up for you and truly want the best for you,” Dugan said.
Once Dugan arrived at Sudan High School, the former student council sponsor referred her to take the position. Thus, Dugan’s involvement as the program’s advisor commenced.
Priding her students with their involvement in community service, Dugan repeatedly expressed the importance of these initiatives in her program.
“I want (students) to think of the positive things STUCO has done,” Dugan said, “and how to get involved where we see needs in the community and fill those gaps.”
Notably, her students raised $5,000 during an October Pink-Out event.
The money aided two community members fighting with breast cancer, Dugan said.
“The ladies behind it made it such a huge success,” Dugan said, “my kids really wanted to show up for them.”
Speaking highly and fondly of her students, Dugan grew emotional talking about their achievements.
“I’m very, very proud of this group,” Dugan said. “They are very outgoing and are always willing to step up.
Sudan High School’s principal, Gordon Martin, described Dugan as energetic, self-motivated, reliable and responsible. Moreover, he noted the program’s active involvement in the community.
At the end of this month, Dugan is taking her students to the TASC High School Annual Conference in Arlington in hopes of learning from other student council programs.
“Hopefully, we will learn some new things to bring back and put in place to make Sudan and Sudan ISD an even better place.”
Looking ahead, Dugan said she hopes to continue fostering her existing students’ noble and active behavior within future ones.
“I hope that after they graduate, they inspire the younger classmen to join and encourage people to be inclusive of everybody,” Dugan said.
“I couldn’t be more proud of this year’s group,” Dugan added.