Inner City Outings Honored by LAUSD Administrators

From left to right, AALA President Dr. Michael O'Sullivan, Gina Awtry, Melody Anderson and Roger Johnston

The Angeles Chapter's Inner City Outings Committee (ICO) was recently honored with a Community Volunteer Award by the Associated Administrators of Los Angeles (AALA). AALA is the professional association of school administrators within the Los Angeles Unified School District. The award was given to recognize ICO for its commitment to inner city youth by providing opportunities for them to visit and develop an appreciation for our natural environment.

ICO was nominated for this award by Sierra Club member Gina Awtry, the principal of Avalon High School, located in Wilmington. Since 2006, Avalon students have experienced day hikes, snow trips to the San Gabriel mountains, whale watching excursions, overnight camping, and backpacking trips. Through ICO, Avalon students also participate annually in International Coastal Clean-up Day where they join with other community volunteers to collect trash and recyclables at Abalone Cove Shoreline Park in Palos Verdes.

ICO currently serves 54 schools and community agencies in the Los Angeles area. Last year, ICO leaders led 116 trips for approximately 4,000 youth.

The Community Volunteer Award was presented to ICO at AALA's annual Scholarship/Community Awards Banquet which was held on May 21 at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. Present to accept the award were Roger Johnston, ICO Chair, and Melody Anderson, ICO liaison to Avalon H.S.

For more information on ICO, including how to become involved or how to make a tax-deductible donation, please visit the ICO website at www.angeles.sierraclub.org/ico. For information regarding the Orange County Inner City Outings Committee, visit www.angeles.sierraclub.org/ocico.