La Canada Flintridge Mayor Len Pieroni gave an inspirational speech to the nine graduating seniors and their families at the Annual La Cañada Thursday Club Scholarship Tea held recently. The La Cañada Thursday Club presented the local high school seniors with college scholarships. The Club’s Scholarship Foundation provided scholarships to eight students, who had a combined average GPA of 4.34, and were chosen based on not only their academic achievement but also their community service and future potential.   

The eight recipients were Kelly Carney (Flintridge Sacred Heart), Greg Grigorian (St. Francis), Olivia Guerra (Polytechnic School), Kyla Kikkawa (Flintridge Prep), Veronica Muller (La Cañada High School), Maddie Odell (La Cañada High School), Tomas Quiroz (St. Francis) and Henry Vaughn (La Cañada High School).

John Balog (St. Francis) was the recipient of the Greenawalt Foundation Scholarship, named in memory of Denise Greenawalt, daughter of longtime Thursday Club member Dotty Greenawalt. Balog was selected based on his spirit, energy and tenacity in overcoming obstacles. 

The students gave a short speech reflecting on their high school experiences and college aspirations. All of the students have made their college selections and held the banners of their future schools. 

The presentation was followed by an informal tea where students, parents, mentors and club members socialized while dining on tea sandwiches, homemade by members, and bundtinis, provided by Nothing Bundt Cakes in Pasadena.

The scholarship committee included Sharon Combs, president of the La Cañada Thursday Club, Becky Lankey, Patrice Fontes and Carol Wickersham.