Community: Three gems sparkle at dinner

Three people who achieved great success after graduating from local public schools will be honored by the Glendale Educational Foundation at the “Dancing with Diamonds Gala” on Friday at the Glendale Hilton.

Paul Robert Ignatius was born in Glendale and graduated from Hoover High School in 1938. He is a retired Secretary of the U.S. Navy and served from 1967 to 1969. He was also president of the Washington Post for two years and president of the Air Transport Assn. for 15 years.

Ron DePompa recently retired as chief of the Glendale Police Department and is a graduate of Crescenta Valley High School, Class of 1974. A Glendale native, he had been employed with the Police Department for 36 years and has established community policing, crime analysis and a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team.

Shant Sahakian, who graduated from Hoover High School in 2003, is founder of Sedna Solutions, a marketing and design firm that promotes several Glendale businesses. He also serves on the boards of many community organizations.

The foundation supports students and staff in the visual and performing arts, health and fitness as well as science and technology in the Glendale Unified School District. This year, the foundation’s project is “Save the Music,” and members hope to raise $150,000 for the instrumental music programs in the elementary schools.

Funds raised will supplement the $250,000 already donated to the district, which has helped purchase more than 300 musical instruments.

For more information, call (818) 247-0466.

--

JOYCE RUDOLPH can be contacted at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com.