By Julian MITCHELL

The Glendale Unified School District Board of Education met for its antepenultimate meeting of the 2018-19 academic school year. The meeting was the annual awards recognition meeting with no additional agenda items. After the conclusion of a search for a new superintendent last week, the relaxed meeting was a welcome change of pace.

“This is our recognition meeting, so it should be quite a bit of fun tonight,” said GUSD president Jennifer Freemon.

A number of scholarships were handed out throughout the night. The Glendale School Management Association awarded four local seniors $700 scholarships for their commitment to education.

A number of awards for individuals were also handed out. One award was the prestigious Burtis Taylor Award. This award distinguishes a number of exemplary volunteers and was given to Steve Pierce and Michael Myers for their commitment to education.

There were a number of organizations among all of the GUSD schools singled out, such as the Glendale High School dance team. The team won seven national awards throughout the school year.

Crescenta Valley High School also received its own handful of awards, many involving the school’s sports. The boys and girls swim and dive teams both were recognized for winning CIF titles this year. Additionally, the girls’ softball team was recognized for winning the CIF title. This was the Lady Falcons first CIF title for softball since 1986.

“It’s real inspirational and a real opportunity for all of us to recognize what is going so well … with Glendale School District and to celebrate each other,” said GUSD board member Nayiri Nahabedian.

Once again in the 2018-19 school year numerous GUSD schools were recognized at a state and national level.

Clark Magnet High School, CVHS and Rosemont Middle School were all honored as California distinguished schools. Additionally, Clark, Crescenta Valley, Glendale and Hoover high schools were all listed as being in the top 25% of high schools across the nation by U.S. News and World Report. In particular, Clark and CVHS were listed in the top 3% of that same report.

“This is an accomplishment of the entire district,” said GUSD member Shant Sahakian. “It’s not only the success of our high schools, but it’s the success of our middle schools and our elementary schools preparing those students all the way up.”

The GUSD board normally meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. The final two meetings of the 2018-19 school year will take place on June 4 and June 18. The GUSD office is located at 223 N. Jackson St. in Glendale.

  Julian MITCHELL