Abbotsford trustee Freddy Latham is running for a second term on the Abbotsford School District’s board of education.
A retired drama teacher and arts advocate in the community, Latham said she “knows the importance of both” education and the arts. Her late husband, Jim Latham, was a school administrator, her daughter, Megan, is an opera singer and her son, Steven, is a teacher.
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Latham is currently the artistic director for Abbotsford Children’s Theatre, which she says has “influenced many in our community to embrace their artistic side.” In the school district and the Abbotsford community, she has directed and produced over 70 plays.
Latham notes five years on the parks, recreation and culture commission and eight years on the arts and heritage advisory committee in the city, and has received some honours for her work. That includes the Order of Abbotsford in 2008 and the Queen’s Jubilee Medal in 2012.
She also received an Arty Award for lifetime achievement in 2016 from the Abbotsford Arts Council.
Latham worked the opening/closing ceremonies at the 2008 Special Olympics, 2004 B.C. Summer Games, 2002 Disability Games and 1995 Western Canada Summer Games.
“We provided opportunities for our youth to excel and participate through the arts and sports, and these were events that our community can be very proud of,” Latham said.
“Mostly, I am an advocate for kids and I want them to be able to engage in their learning in a meaningful way and feel successful.”