By Isiah REYES

This year’s Denim and Diamonds dinner and dance, held at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center on March 6, will celebrate those who have benefited from an education in the Glendale Unified School District and will honor alumni who have gone on to excel in their chosen professions.

“It’s a fundraising event to celebrate graduates from the Glendale Unified School District,” said foundation Executive Director Susan Hunt. “The winners have achieved wonderful levels of professional achievement.”

The winners are nominated and chosen by a committee. This year’s gala will have four honorees. Harry Hull will be receiving the Paragon Diamond Award. The award is given to those who have demonstrated entrepreneurial and innovation excellence. Hull is the president of Glendale Arts and broker and owner of Hull Homes Realty and was former president of various local organizations. He graduated from Hoover High School.

Yasmin Beers will be given the Premier Rose Diamond Award. The award is given to those who have distinguished service or philanthropic efforts. Beers is the current board member of several local organizations and was the past president of Soroptimist International of Glendale. She graduated from Hoover High School.

David Black will be awarded the Distinguished Achievement in Science and Technology. Black was chosen for his significant contributions to science and technology as engineering robotics instructor at Clark Magnet High School. Black has been involved in competition teams at all grade levels. He graduated from Clark Magnet High School.

Sev Ohanian will receive the Distinguished Achievement in the Arts Award. Ohanian has made significant contributions in the area of visual and performing arts by producing the award winning “Fruitvale Station” and other works. He graduated from Hoover High School.

The evening is one of the biggest fundraisers for the Glendale Education Foundation. The gala was previously known as Dancing with Diamonds, but because it’s being held at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center it was renamed the Denim and Diamonds dinner and dance. The main focus of this year’s fundraiser will be to fund science and technology programs.

Tickets are $150 and available by calling (818) 247-0466 or by visiting the website www.glened.org.

The Los Angeles Equestrian Center is located at 480 W. Riverside Drive in Burbank.

  Isiah REYES