The Valley Line: Leiningers feted by Community Scholarship Foundation
Longtime local educators Mike and Nancy Leininger were honored Jan. 16 by the Community Scholarship Foundation of La Cañada Flintridge with the organization’s annual Distinguished Person Award.
The event was held at Oakmont Country Club with about 50 guests in attendance. Karen Mathison, CSF president, stepped to the podium to welcome guests.
Mathison talked about how the Leiningers have walked parallel paths for almost 50 years.
“No doubt, it was destiny that they forged a friendship in high school while serving as student body officers and as presidents of their service clubs. They married and spent the last year of their schooling at the University of Utah where they both graduated with degrees in education,” Mathison said.
Mathison also talked about how the Leiningers finding jobs in the La Cañada Unified School District was a dream come true for both of them. Mike began teaching at La Cañada High School as assistant principal in 1987 and Nancy started teaching at Palm Crest Elementary soon after. Mike went on to become principal at LCHS.
“Today, their dedication to the welfare and uplifting of elementary, junior high and high school students make them perfect recipients of this year’s distinguished person award,” Mathison said in her introduction.
Former school board member Joel Peterson stepped to the podium to speak about Mike; honoring Nancy was LCUSD Supt. Wendy Sinnette. The two honorees were presented with lovely sculpted glass awards etched with their names.
The Leiningers were also given special recognition from Teresa Lamb Simpson, on behalf of Rep. Adam Schiff, David Kim, representative for state Sen. Anthony Portantino and Blake Dellinger, representative for Assemblywoman Laura Friedman.
Sharing this special day with the Leiningers were their daughter, Anne Collins, son-in-law, Jesse Collins, and daughter, Carrie King.
Trish McRae and Alice Perez chaired the event.
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Flora Troy, daughter of Elizabeth and Ken Troy and granddaughter of longtime La Cañadan Nancy Harahan and Chuck Thornton, made her debut to society at the Las Madrinas Ball held on Dec. 21 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills. She was one of 26 debs honored for their service to the Southern California community and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
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We have had a little “brr” time here in our fair burg. It’s fine with me — I’ve dragged out warm sweaters and hand-knit wraps that I made a few years ago. They are beautiful, but I don’t get to wear them often because it’s usually so darn warm. Anyway, I’m all cozy and enjoying the chilly weather.