The Glendale Educational Foundation will honor six exceptional graduates from the Glendale Unified School District at its annual Dancing with Diamonds gala on Friday, Feb. 11 at the Glendale Hilton. This is the first year for these awards. Honorees are:

•Distinguished Achievement in Arts. Awarded to an individual who has made significant contributions in visual and performing arts: Harvey Mason, Jr – Grammy winning record producer. Crescenta Valley High School, 1986

•Distinguished Achievement in Science & Technology. Awarded to an individual who has made significant contributions in the area of science and technology: Dr. Leland H. Hartwell – Nobel prize winner in medicine. Glendale High School, 1957

•Distinguished Achievement in Health & Fitness. Awarded to an individual who has made significant contributions in the area of health and physical fitness: Dr. Deb Rinder – Principal of Glendale High School and long time advocate of children with disabilities and special needs. Glendale High School, 1982

•Paragon Award. Awarded to an individual who has demonstrated Entrepreneurial/Innovation Excellence. This individual through their innovation or entrepreneurial excellence demonstrates the Glendale Educational Foundation’s goal of impacting and making a difference in the lives of others: Paul A. Raggio, Colonel USA (Retired) – Following a distinguished military career, founded a nationwide security firm. Hoover High School, 1973

•Premier Rose Award. Awarded to an individual who has distinguished service and/or philanthropic efforts, this individual embodies the Glendale Educational Foundation’s spirit of community through their service to others and/or their philanthropic efforts: Matt Zakarian – Glendale Police Department, founding member of Crescenta Valley Drug & Alcohol Prevention Coalition. Crescenta Valley High School, 1979

•Hope Diamond Award. Awarded to an individual who has made significant achievement early in their career. This individual embodies how the Glendale Educational Foundation’s mission of providing enrichment for superior educational experiences in the Glendale Unified School District has enhanced his/her career: Nadia El-Fakih – 20-year-old college graduate attending Dartmouth Medical School. Clark Magnet High School, 2006

To purchase tickets for this year’s event or to learn more call (818) 247-0466.

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