The Glendale Educational Foundation is hosting its annual Dancing With Diamonds gala on Feb. 8. Held at the Glendale Hilton, the fundraiser will include dancing, dinner and celebrating the achievements of three Glendale Unified School District graduates.

This year, Patrick McClenahan, Hoover High School class of 1976, will be recognized for his Distinguished Achievement in the Arts.

While a sports broadcaster with Prime Ticket, Fox Sports Net and CBS 2/KCAL 9, Patrick McClenahan won six Emmys. He has also been active in the Special Olympics organization, and currently serves as president and CEO of the L.A. 2015 Special Olympics World Games. He and his wife Karren live in Glendale and have two grown children.

For Distinguished Achievement in Science and Technology, Dr. Donald Prothero, Glendale High School class of 1972, will be honored.

University professor in the area of paleontology, Dr. Prothero’s research has focused on three main areas: the evolution of hoofed mammals, the climate changes of the Eocene-Oligocene transition 40-24 million years ago, and the magnetostratigraphic dating of fossil-bearing deposits around the world. He has published books and contributes extensively to professional publications. Most recently with Occidental College and Cal Tech, Dr. Prothero is retired and lives in La Crescenta with his wife and two sons.

For Distinguished Achievement in Health & Fitness, Paul Fejtek, Hoover High School class of 1988, will be feted.

Paul Fejtek has the unique distinction of being the first person with Brachial Plexus Palsy to reach the summit of the earth’s highest peak, Mt. Everest. Along with his wife and climbing partner Denise, who he met in geometry class at Hoover High School in 1986, the two are among only a handful of married couples in the world who have climbed all of the Seven Summits – the highest mountains on each of the seven continents. Professionally, he works with Hunter Wise Financial Group in Newport Beach.

The Glendale Educational Foundation serves to enrich and enhance the educational experience of Glendale Unified School District students and staff in the areas of visual and performing arts, health and fitness, and science and technology.  The current emphasis, Save the Music, will fund instrumental music programs in the elementary schools, and seeks to raise $500,000 this school year.
For ticket information, call (818) 247-0466.