District hands out awards

Glendale Unified officials Tuesday bestowed several major end-of-the-year awards on students, staff members and local community organizations.

The Michael Escalante Award, named in honor of the former superintendent, was given to one high-achieving senior from each of the district’s five high schools. The recipients were Lyova Zalyan of Clark High School, Hannah Park of Crescenta Valley High School, Valerie Hooper-Bedico of Daily High School, Ji Su Yoo of Glendale High School and Efren Pinon of Hoover High School.

The James Brown Award, bestowed on a certified or classified administrator for exemplary leadership, was given to Clark Magnet High School Principal Doug Dall. The Robert Sanchis Award, given to a certified and a classified employee whose interaction with the public positively reflects on the district, went to Crescenta Valley High School math teacher and tech support staff member Win Saw and district administrative secretary Marge Rader. [Updated: This version has been updated to include Saw as an award recipient.]

Two community groups, the Measure S Committee and the Soroptimist International of Glendale, received the Burtis E. Taylor Award. Named in honor of former Supt. Burtis Taylor, who died May 30 at the age 96, the award recognizes exemplary service to public education. The Measure S Committee oversaw the passage of a $270-million school bond, while Soroptimist International annually hosts the district spelling bee.