Ashley Siebels, McKinley K-8 School; Elizabeth Mazaro, Sierra Madre Middle School; Mariana Cruz, Elliott Arts Magnet Academy; Alejandra Penalosa, Washington STEAM Magnet Academy; Idalina Bonham, John Marshall Fundamental School; Jade Barrera, Blair I.B. Magnet School; and Kayla Mendoza Mejia, Wilson I.B. Magnet School.
The recent Woman’s Civic League’s luncheon was devoted to honoring young women from Pasadena Unified School District middle schools who have shown tremendous growth and tenacity during their middle school years. This event is always well attended with the girls’ teachers and counselors, and parents and siblings joined for lunch. These young women, while often facing family or academic struggles, have shown extremely significant improvement in their grades. Although many awards are presented to outstanding scholars and athletes at this time of year, this award goes deep into the character of the student. Learning about their efforts is always inspiring.
Rita Elshout, the WCL Ways and Means chair, arranged for guest speaker Marilyn Johnson, Pasadena City College coordinator of instructional technology had inspiring words for the girls to further motivate them for success going forward.
League President Lisa Fowler and member Eddie Newman and her Education and Youth Services committee members made the event successful. League member Joanie Smith created charming centerpieces at each table consisting of a gift basket of goodies, including Target $100 gift certificates, Dominick’s Restaurant pizza gift certificates, beauty skin products, candy and a Hawaiian lei for each of the middle school girls to take home.
For more information, visit wclpasadena.org.
