Pasadena Educational Foundation Celebrates 50th Anniversary, Honors Teacher, Activist and Volunteer Alma Stokes

The Pasadena Educational Foundation will celebrate its founding five decades ago with an event at City Hall where the group will bestow its highest award to long-time teacher and mentor, engaged activist and dedicated community volunteer Alma Stokes.

“Celebrating Our Schools ELEVATE 2022” will present inspirational students and teachers and support the PEF’s mission to achieve excellence and equity in all Pasadena Unified schools.

This year’s event will also feature Katrina Cabrera Ortega, television writer and producer (Dynasty) and co-founder of LIFT (Latinas Inspired for Tomorrow) Scholarship, and PEF’s award-winning interactive showcase highlighting PUSD’s innovative programs and students.

Exemplary Service Award honoree Alma Stokes has inspired thousands of students during her 30-year career in the Pasadena Unified School District and has elevated thousands more through her outstanding work with many organizations that support the health, well-being, and education of young people in our community. Alma is a tireless educator, activist, and dedicated PEF board member.

Writer, director, and proud PUSD parent Katrina Cabrera Ortega, together with a group of community members and support from PEF, created scholarships to recognize the achievements, accomplishments, talents, and financial needs of PUSD students. Mrs. Ortega believes that community-based scholarships, regardless of their amount, provide students with a vote of confidence in their capabilities, provide a demonstration of support for their journey, and a recognition of their skill.

The Interactive Student Showcase provides opportunities for guests to get hands-on and explore the remarkable PUSD programs driving student success. Guests will see how computer science is opening doors, get creative with science fiction, immerse themselves in history, drive solar rovers, piece together ancient artifacts, and be an integral part of PUSD’s story of educational success and innovation.

Pasadena Educational Foundation is a nonprofit organization that advocates for public education, engages the community, and develops resources to support excellent education for every Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) student. Whether it be through the arts, music, health centers, gardens, or STEM programs they support, PEF is dedicated to working to achieve equity and excellence in all PUSD schools.

Celebrate this year’s honorees and enjoy the award-winning student showcase, food, drink, and conversation at Celebrating Our Schools ELEVATE 2022. The event will be held on Wednesday, May 25, at the historic Pasadena City Hall Courtyard from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are available online at: http://pased.org/elevate