PSUD Superintendent Brian McDonald on May 16, Pasadena Educational Foundation's Celebrating Our Schools: INSPIRE 2023 held at Pasadena City Hall
Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo on May 16, Pasadena Educational Foundation's Celebrating Our Schools: INSPIRE 2023 held at Pasadena City Hall
PSUSD Board President Michelle Richardson Bailey on May 16, Pasadena Educational Foundation's Celebrating Our Schools: INSPIRE 2023 held at Pasadena City Hall
Pasadena City Manager Miguel Márquez on May 16, Pasadena Educational Foundation's Celebrating Our Schools: INSPIRE 2023 held at Pasadena City Hall
Honoree Elizabeth Pomeroy on May 16, Pasadena Educational Foundation's Celebrating Our Schools: INSPIRE 2023 held at Pasadena City Hall
Jane Kaczmarek on May 16, Pasadena Educational Foundation's Celebrating Our Schools: INSPIRE 2023 held at Pasadena City Hall
Carla Dunn Fulmore on May 16, Pasadena Educational Foundation's Celebrating Our Schools: INSPIRE 2023 held at Pasadena City Hall
Vannia de la Cuba, Hilda Ramirez, Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo, Elizabeth Blanco, Jennifer Hall Lee, Linda Morales on May 16, Pasadena Educational Foundation's Celebrating Our Schools: INSPIRE 2023 held at Pasadena City Hall
Dave Martinez, Fletcher Davis, Pasadena Vice Mayor Felicia Williams, Maria Kader Karp on May 16, Pasadena Educational Foundation's Celebrating Our Schools: INSPIRE 2023 held at Pasadena City Hall
PSUSD Superintendent Brian McDonald, Scott Harden, Jovan Jacobs on May 16, Pasadena Educational Foundation's Celebrating Our Schools: INSPIRE 2023 held at Pasadena City Hall
Geoff Albert, Allison Steppes, Pasadena Educational Foundation Executive Director Patrick Conyers on May 16, Pasadena Educational Foundation's Celebrating Our Schools: INSPIRE 2023 held at Pasadena City Hall
Mabell Paine, Carter Dandridge, Pilar DeLeon on May 16, Pasadena Educational Foundation's Celebrating Our Schools: INSPIRE 2023 held at Pasadena City Hall
Katie Ahmed and Honoree Elizabeth Pomeroy on May 16, Pasadena Educational Foundation's Celebrating Our Schools: INSPIRE 2023 held at Pasadena City Hall
Marlon Wadlington, Kitty Cahalan, Patrick Cahalan on May 16, Pasadena Educational Foundation's Celebrating Our Schools: INSPIRE 2023 held at Pasadena City Hall
Hilda Ramirez-Horvath, Jovan Jacobs, PSUSD School Board President Michelle Richardson Bailey, Dr. Elizabeth Blanco on May 16, Pasadena Educational Foundation's Celebrating Our Schools: INSPIRE 2023 held at Pasadena City Hall
Toni Jones, Hazel Duncan, Elise Mallory on May 16, Pasadena Educational Foundation's Celebrating Our Schools: INSPIRE 2023 held at Pasadena City Hall
Jennifer Higgenbotham and Pasadena Councilmember Jason Lyon on May 16, Pasadena Educational Foundation's Celebrating Our Schools: INSPIRE 2023 held at Pasadena City Hall
Jennifer DeVoll, Brian Biery, Jeannine Bogaard on May 16, Pasadena Educational Foundation's Celebrating Our Schools: INSPIRE 2023 held at Pasadena City Hall
Julie Flad, Jennifer Higginbotham ,Paula Hernandez, Roberto Hernandez on May 16, Pasadena Educational Foundation's Celebrating Our Schools: INSPIRE 2023 held at Pasadena City Hall
Keith Kajiya and Dan Carney on May 16, Pasadena Educational Foundation's Celebrating Our Schools: INSPIRE 2023 held at Pasadena City Hall
Ken Farley, Sarah Deschenes, Tammy Godley on May 16, Pasadena Educational Foundation's Celebrating Our Schools: INSPIRE 2023 held at Pasadena City Hall
Jeremy Baker, Erin Baker, Luis Navarro, Luisa Rengifo on May 16, Pasadena Educational Foundation's Celebrating Our Schools: INSPIRE 2023 held at Pasadena City Hall
Lawton Gray, Natasha Mahone, Nate Bradley on May 16, Pasadena Educational Foundation's Celebrating Our Schools: INSPIRE 2023 held at Pasadena City Hall
Miles Prince and Leslie Ito on May 16, Pasadena Educational Foundation's Celebrating Our Schools: INSPIRE 2023 held at Pasadena City Hall
Jim and Dawn O’Keefe on May 16, Pasadena Educational Foundation's Celebrating Our Schools: INSPIRE 2023 held at Pasadena City Hall
Diana Peterson-Moore, Angie O’Brien, Dan Smith on May 16, Pasadena Educational Foundation's Celebrating Our Schools: INSPIRE 2023 held at Pasadena City Hall
Lisa Barrios, Natasha Williams, Ashley Williams, Lawayne Williams, Patrick Lonyers on May 16, Pasadena Educational Foundation's Celebrating Our Schools: INSPIRE 2023 held at Pasadena City Hall
Susan Schwartz and Steven Miller on May 16, Pasadena Educational Foundation's Celebrating Our Schools: INSPIRE 2023 held at Pasadena City Hall
Dave Banis, Matt Kodama, Heather Kodama on May 16, Pasadena Educational Foundation's Celebrating Our Schools: INSPIRE 2023 held at Pasadena City Hall
Samuel Nanfito and John Beuerlein on May 16, Pasadena Educational Foundation's Celebrating Our Schools: INSPIRE 2023 held at Pasadena City Hall
Kevin Strotz, Julia McCallin, Erik Berg on May 16, Pasadena Educational Foundation's Celebrating Our Schools: INSPIRE 2023 held at Pasadena City Hall
PUSD Superintendent Brian McDonald on May 16, Pasadena Educational Foundation's Celebrating Our Schools: INSPIRE 2023 held at Pasadena City Hall
Pasadena City Hall was filled with an air of excitement and anticipation on Tuesday, May 16, as the community gathered to celebrate and honor the achievements of the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD).
The event, aptly named INSPIRE 2023, was organized by the Pasadena Educational Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to achieving excellence and equity in all PUSD schools.
It was an evening filled with inspiration, recognition, and appreciation for the outstanding work done by students, teachers, and education partners.
The event began with a Showcase & Reception, providing an opportunity for attendees to explore the award-winning exhibits and experiences presented by some of Pasadena Unified’s remarkable students. From scientific discoveries to artistic masterpieces, the interactive student showcase truly highlighted the exceptional talent and dedication within the district.
Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo welcomed the attendees as the formal program got underway. He delivered a heartfelt speech, reflecting on his own experience as an immigrant who grew up in the Pasadena Unified School District.
“This is a fun event. It’s for a great school district with great programs, and more importantly for the future of Pasadena, because that’s what our kids represent,” he said. “I wouldn’t trade my experience for anything… it was people like you who contributed to my being able to stand here before you and say it’s an honor and a privilege to serve as your mayor. It’s people like you who took the time to ensure that children like me, Spanish speaking, monolingual, both parents working had that extra activity, had that care and compassion.”
PEF Executive Director Patrick Conyers greeted those gathered by saying “it’s always great to see the most wonderful and supportive group of people in our community, who have their priorities in the right place and understand how important public education is.”
Then the spotlight shifted to the recipient of the Exemplary Service Award, Dr. Elizabeth Pomeroy.
The Exemplary Service Award was presented by Dr. Brian McDonald, Superintendent of the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD), who highlighted Pomeroy’s multifaceted career as an educator, author, and advocate for equity.
“Dr. Pomeroy embodies the love of lifelong learning,” said McDonald. “She has been a tireless champion of our students and employees. In her gentle way, she has shaken our world for the better.”
Pomeroy, a mother, educator, and published author, was elected to the Board of Education in 2009 and served the district for 13 years. Her career has spanned teaching middle and high school students, holding academic positions at UCLA, UC Irvine, and the California State University of Los Angeles, and working as an English professor at Pasadena City College.
Beyond academia, Pomeroy has been active in the Women’s Liberation Movement and the National Organization for Women, and has served on the boards of the Pasadena Historical Society and the Sierra Club.
Since ending her tenure on the PUSD Board, Pomeroy has continued her focus on personal learning, studying music history at the Pasadena Conservatory of Music and volunteering at the Arboretum.
During the award ceremony, Pomeroy expressed gratitude for the recognition and thanked the PEF, the PUSD teachers and principals, parent groups, and nonprofit organizations that support student achievement.
“We have created here our own supernova of positive energy,” said Pomeroy. “We can take that with us into our schools, into our families, and continue on this energetic path of positive achievement.”
The event also paid tribute to the excellent teachers within PUSD. Special guests, who are exemplary educators, were recognized for their unwavering dedication and commitment to shaping the minds of future generations. Their hard work and passion were acknowledged with great appreciation, as they continue to make a profound difference in the lives of countless students.
INSPIRE 2023 was not only a celebration of achievements but also a joyous gathering. The courtyard came alive with vibrant conversations, laughter, and the clinking of glasses as attendees enjoyed a delightful spread of food and drinks. The event organizers prioritized sustainability and ensured that it was a zero-waste event, showcasing their commitment to environmental responsibility.
As the night drew to a close, the echoes of inspiration continued to resonate. INSPIRE 2023 had achieved its goal of celebrating the remarkable achievements of Pasadena Unified School District and fostering a strong sense of unity among all those present.
For more information on Pasadena Educational Foundation and their programs visit www.pasedfoundation.org.
