Hillside Graduates Seniors, Eighth Graders

June 15 brought high school to a close for 15 Hillside School seniors during an evening of graduation, awards and celebration at the University Club in Pasadena.

Family and friends gathered together for the all-school dinner banquet. They saw five eighth graders promoted to high school and numerous awards handed out. These awards included two scholarships sponsored by National Bank, represented by Poebus Hon and the La Cañada Kiwanis AM Club represented by local La Cañadan Shirley Hingst.

Graduating seniors were Arlene Alejandro, Scott Border, Marguerite Campbell, Stephanie Campbell, Russell Kohl, Kacey Kurasz, Andrea Miller, Andrea Nolan, William O’Doherty, Jesse Oppenheim, William Roeder, Sarah Rogers, Emily Trujillo, Heather Williams, and Alex Yoka.

Alejandro was awarded the La Cañada Kiwanis AM scholarship dedicated to the student who most desires further education. She will be attending Paul Mitchell School.

Kurasz received the National Bank scholarship for the student who has shown exceptional achievement. She will be attending Glendale Community College.

Other plaque awards included the Syd Giddens Award for vocational achievement given to Oppenheim, Volunteer Service Award given to Heidi Zabriskie, Fine Arts Award given to Richard Nida, Leadership Award given to Williams, the Principal’s Award given to Border and the Outstanding Senior Award given to Miller.

Six eighth graders were promoted to high school — Jonathan Cabrera, Ryan Judson, Brandon Martin, Blake Testa, Francesca Wilby, and Tommy Rittwage.

Tables were decorated in Hillside colors of blue and white, with beautiful centerpieces designed and generously donated by Nancy Campbell and Gail Miller.

The evening ended with opportunities for senior parents to publicly affirm their student’s accomplishments and a slide show of the year’s activities set to music.