Parkland HS celebrates Disney’s Matador Kingdom for Homecoming
Congratulations 2019 Parkland High School Honored Ex Samuel Ameen, class of 1979!
Sam was born into a Military family and traveled all around Europe before coming to the United States in the late 1960’s. Because of the Vietnam War, both his father and brother were deployed overseas and his mother was ill with lung cancer. Sam had to take on the roll of caretaker and parent for his mom and sisters. He made sure everyone was clean, fed and dressed for school. He would get his sisters to their classes and then pick them up after school.
After graduating from Parkland High School in 1979, he went on to UTEP and graduated in 1986. While still in school, he volunteered at Parkland coaching football, working and supporting his wife while trying to make a difference in student’s lives. Just prior to graduation from UTEP, Sam was offered a job teaching and coaching at St. Pius Catholic School and then was hired at Cathedral High School. His work there lasted 10 years.
Sam decided it was time to go back to school to get his Maters degree in order to advance in his career and provide for his family. He completed a Master’s of Education at Sul Ross State in Alpine, TX. and graduated in 1999. From there Sam was offered a job to run St. Josephs’ Jr. High in Pine Bluff, Arkansas and worked to obtain funds and grants to build St Joseph Catholic High School there. Once the schools were up and running successfully, the decision was made to move back to El Paso.
Sam wanted to live and give back to the community that supported and raised him and so he returned to Parkland as a teacher and coach. Over the past 18 years, Sam has been recommended to move up into administrative positions, head coaching positions but has always refused as he enjoys being right in the trenches of teaching and mentoring. Like many great teachers he has been a trusted counselor, bought school supplies and equipment for students that could not afford them. Sam works many hours as he goes in early and stays late tutoring. He has helped students obtain scholarships and appointments to the various military academies.
Many Parkland alums have returned to teach there and it’s been because of the example Sam instilled in them. He has won many championships and district honors in football and basketball and has also covered in the past to coach softball and volleyball. He has received many awards and accolades in his career, but they mean nothing to him as he is a humble man. His passion is making a difference in the lives of students. Sam is married and has 3 children, Marco, who they adopted, graduated from Cathedral High School; Sarah, PHS Class of 1991 and Andrew, PHS Class of 1993.
Click here to for a list of Homecoming activities.