SIERRA MADRE TEEN NAMED A 'DISTINGUISHED 
YOUNG WOMAN OF LA COUNTY 
Distinguished Young Women of Los 
Angeles County May 5, 2026 – On Saturday, 
April 18, 2026, Yunah Choi of Los Angeles,
Blair Hudson of Long Beach, Abigail Kim 
of Northridge, and Natalie Kreakopyan of 
Sierra Madre were named the Distinguished 
Young Women of Los Angeles County for the 
Class of 2027 and awarded cash scholarshipsduring a countywide scholarship program 
for high school girls. Program Finalists were 
Jessie Cai of Los Angeles and Ashley Khim 
of Porter Ranch. 
Choi, Hudson, Kim, and Kreakopyan 
were among the high school junior girls 
who competed to represent the county as 
the Distinguished Young Women of Los 
Angeles County for 2027. Participants were 
evaluated in the categories of Scholastics 
(25%), Interview (25%), Talent (20%),
Fitness (15%), and Self-Expression (15%). 
Throughout the next year, Choi, Hudson, Kim, and Kreakopyan will represent Los Angeles 
County and serve as role models to young people by spreading the program’s national 
outreach message of “Be Your Best Self.” The outreach program is designed to encourage 
self-esteem and excellence in all young people through its five principles: Be Healthy, Be 
Involved, Be Studious, Be Ambitious, and Be Responsible. Full bios on the Class of 2027 
representatives are available upon request. 
The Distinguished Young Women of California State Program will take place July 26,2026 in Bakersfield, CA. Choi, Hudson, Kim, and Kreakopyan will travel to Bakersfield, 
along with representatives from across the state, to participate in personal development 
activities and community service projects before competing for the opportunity to become 
the Distinguished Young Woman of California for 2027 and be awarded additional cash 
scholarships. 
The full list of award recipients at the 2027 Distinguished Young Women of Los Angeles 
County Program are as follows: 
2027 Distinguished Young Woman of North Los Angeles County – Yunah Choi (North 
Hollywood High School) 
2027 Distinguished Young Woman of South Los Angeles County – Blair Hudson (St. 
Joseph High School) 
2027 Distinguished Young Woman of East Los Angeles County – Natalie Kreakopyan 
(Marshall Fundamental School) 
2027 Distinguished Young Woman of West Los Angeles County – Abigail Kim (Granada 
Hills Charter High School) 
Finalists – Jessie Cai (Harvard-Westlake School), Ashley Khim (Granada Hills Charter 
High School) 
Scholastics Award Recipients – Yunah Choi (North Hollywood High School), AshleyKhim (Granada Hills Charter High School), Abigail Kim (Granada Hills Charter High 
School), Karis Tam (Temple City High School) 
Interview Award Recipients – Yunah Choi (North Hollywood High School), Leona 
Khachatourian (Herbert Hoover High School), Natalie Kreakopyan (Marshall 
Fundamental School), Natalia Nelson (Notre Dame Academy) 
Talent Award Recipients – Jessie Cai (Harvard-Westlake School), Blair Hudson (St. 
Joseph High School), Abigail Kim (Granada Hills Charter High School), Karis Tam 
(Temple City High School) 
Self-Expression Award Recipients – Yunah Choi (North Hollywood High School),
Abigail Kim (Granada Hills Charter High School), Natalie Kreakopyan (Marshall 
Fundamental School), Natalia Nelson (Notre Dame Academy) 
Fitness Award Recipients – Blair Hudson (St. Joseph High School), Abigail Kim 
(Granada Hills Charter High School), Natalia Nelson (Notre Dame Academy), Karis 
Tam (Temple City High School) 
Spirit Award Recipient – Sachi Reiss (Culver City High School) 
For more information on Distinguished Young Women of Los Angeles County or to set up 
an interview with our Class of 2027 representatives, please contact Gretchen Douglass at 
losangeles@distinguishedyw.org, or visit our Facebook (Distinguished Young Women of Los 
Angeles County). 
About Distinguished Young WomenFounded in 1958, Distinguished Young Women is a free program that encourages participants 
to reach their full individual potential. Our mission is to empower young women by providing 
over $1 billion in scholarship opportunities, connecting with a nationwide network of 
women, developing their self-confidence, and participating in our Life Skills Workshops 
that prepare them for success after high school. National sponsors include Mobile County,
City of Mobile, Barbara Barrington Jones Family Foundation, Alabama Power Foundation, 
Gant Travel Management, Regions Financial Corporation, The Coffeen Family, John CauleyJeweler, Jostens and Alabama Media Group. 
For more information about Distinguished Young Women, contact Carly Hudson, National 
Headquarters Marketing and Communications Director, at 251-438-3621 or Carly@
DistinguishedYW.org or visit www.DistinguishedYW.org. 
88 EDUCATION AND YOUTH 
SCHOOL DIRECTORY 
Alverno Heights Academy200 N. Michillinda Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024(626)355-3463Head of School: Joanne HarabedianE-mail address:
jharabedian@alvernoheights.orgArcadia Christian School 
1900 S. Santa Anita Avenue 
Arcadia, CA 91006Preschool -TK - 8th Grade626-574-8229/626-574-0805Email:inquiry@acslions.comPrincipal: Cindy Harmonwebsite:www.acslions.comArcadia High School180 Campus DriveArcadia, CA91007Phone: (626) 821-8370,
Principal: Brent Forseebforsee@ausd.netArroyo Pacific Academy41 W. Santa Clara St. Arcadia, Ca,
(626)294-0661 Principal: Phil ClarkeE-mail address: pclarke@arroyopacific.orgAssumption of the Blessed Virgin MarySchool 
Robert Bringas, Jr., Principal2660 East Orange Grove Blvd.
Pasadena, Ca 91107626-793-2089https://school.abvmpasadena.org/
Barnhart School 
240 W.Colorado BlvdArcadia, Ca.91007(626)446-5588Head of School:Tonya BeilsteinKindergarten - 8th gradewebsite: www.barnhartschool.orgBethany Christian School93 N. Baldwin Ave. 
Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024(626)355-3527Preschool-TK-8th GradePrincipal: Jonathan Haweswebsite: www. bcslions.orgClairbourn School 
8400 Huntington DriveSan Gabriel, CA91775Phone: 626-286-3108 ext. 172FAX: 626-286-1528Marianne Ryanadministration@clairbourn.orgE-mail: jhawes@clairbourn.orgFoothill Oaks Academy822 E. Bradbourne Ave., Duarte, CA 91010(626)301-9809Principal: Nancy Lopezwww.foothilloaksacademy.orgoffice@foothilloaksacademy.orgFrostig School971 N. Altadena Drive 
Pasadena, CA 91107(626)791-1255Head of School: Jenny JanetzkeEmail: jenny@frostig.orgThe Gooden School 
192 N. Baldwin Ave. 
Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024(626)355-2410Head of School, Jo-Anne Woolnerwebsite: www.goodenschool.orgHoly Angels SchoolPK-8th Grade360 Campus DriveArcadia, CA91007626-447-6312office@holyangelsarcadia.orgPrincipal:Aimee Dyrekholyangelsarcadia.netHigh Point Academy1720 Kinneloa Canyon RoadPasadena, Ca. 91107 
Head of School: Gary Stern 626-798-8989website: www.highpointacademy.orgLa Salle College Preparatory3880 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. 
Pasadena, Ca.
(626)351-8951website: www.lasallehs.orgPrincipal Ernest SiyMonrovia High School325 East Huntington Drive,
Monrovia, CA91016(626)471-2800 Principal Darvin JacksonEmail: schools@monrovia.k12.ca.usOdyssey Charter School725 W.Altadena Dr.
Altadena, Ca. 91001(626)229-0993Head of School: Lauren O’Neillwebsite: www.odysseycharterschool.orgPasadena High School2925 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. Pasadena, Ca.
(626)396-5880Principal: Dr. Eric Barbawebsite: http://phs.pusd.usSt. Rita Catholic School 
322 N. Baldwin Ave. 
Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024Principal: Jon McMaster (626) 355-6114mcmaster@st-ritaschool.orgWebsite: www.st-ritaschool.orgSierra Madre Elementary School141 W. HighlandAve,
Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024(626)355-1428Principal: Dr. Jodi MarchessoE-mail address: marchesso.jodi@pusd.usSierra Madre Middle School 
160 N. Canon Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024(626)836-2947Principal: Garrett NewsomE-mail address: newsom.garrett@pusd.usWalden School 
74 S San Gabriel BlvdPasadena, CA 91107 (626) 792-6166www.waldenschool.netWeizmann Day School1434 N. Altadena Dr. 
Pasadena, Ca. 91107(626)797-0204Lisa Feldman: Head of SchoolWilson Middle School 
300 S. Madre St. 
Pasadena, Ca. 91107(626)449-7390 Principal: Ruth EsselnE-mail address: resseln@pusd.usPasadena Unified School District351 S. HudsonAve.,
Pasadena, Ca. 91109(626)396-3600Website: www.pusd@pusd.usArcadia Unified School District234 Campus Dr.,Arcadia, Ca. 91007(626)821-8300 Website: www.ausd.netMonrovia Unified School District325 E. Huntington Dr.,
Monrovia, Ca. 91016(626)471-2000Website: www.monroviaschools.netDuarte Unified School District1620 Huntington Dr., Duarte, Ca. 91010(626)599-5000Website: www.duarte.k12.ca.usMountain Views News May 9, 2026 
PASADENA UNIFIED TO SUSTAIN 
TRAUMA-RESPONSIVE HEALTH 
SERVICES THROUGH PARTNERSHIP 
WITH KAISER PERMANENTE AND 
THE PASADENA EDUCATIONAL 
FOUNDATION 
Three-year initiative supports mental and physical 
health for students, families, and staff after the 
Eaton Fire 
Pasadena, CA – The Pasadena Unified School 
District (PUSD) will preserve critical trauma-
responsive mental and physical health services 
for PUSD students in the aftermath of the Eaton 
Fire, thanks to a $5 million multi year grant 
from Kaiser Permanente through the Pasadena 
Educational Foundation (PEF). The grant will 
help sustain safe, trauma-responsive support 
throughout PUSD by ensuring that trained staff 
have the resources and professional learning to 
support student wellbeing. 
The grant also funds expanded hours at the 
PUSD Health Clinic, supports trauma-informed 
professional development for district employees, 
provides new confidential wellness spaces, 
equipment, and materials for school sites, and 
strengthens restorative practices and crisis-
response across the district. To ensure continuity 
of support for participating students, the grant 
funds the hiring of five seasonal Response 
to Intervention teachers for the Pasadena 
Educational Foundation’s Summer Enrichment 
Programs. 
“Kaiser Permanente’s health mission and PUSD’s 
educational mission are connected because 
education is so important to lifelong health,” 
said Michelle Gaskill-Hames, president, Kaiser 
Permanente Southern California and Hawaii,
Health Plan and Hospitals. "The Eaton Fire was 
a collective trauma for our communities, and 
severely impacted schools, students and their 
families. Trauma disrupts learning, relationships, 
and a child's sense of possibility. With this grant, 
Natalie Kreakopyan of Sierra Madre 
88 EDUCATION AND YOUTH 
SCHOOL DIRECTORY 
Alverno Heights Academy200 N. Michillinda Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024(626)355-3463Head of School: Joanne HarabedianE-mail address:
jharabedian@alvernoheights.orgArcadia Christian School 
1900 S. Santa Anita Avenue 
Arcadia, CA 91006Preschool -TK - 8th Grade626-574-8229/626-574-0805Email:inquiry@acslions.comPrincipal: Cindy Harmonwebsite:www.acslions.comArcadia High School180 Campus DriveArcadia, CA91007Phone: (626) 821-8370,
Principal: Brent Forseebforsee@ausd.netArroyo Pacific Academy41 W. Santa Clara St. Arcadia, Ca,
(626)294-0661 Principal: Phil ClarkeE-mail address: pclarke@arroyopacific.orgAssumption of the Blessed Virgin MarySchool 
Robert Bringas, Jr., Principal2660 East Orange Grove Blvd.
Pasadena, Ca 91107626-793-2089https://school.abvmpasadena.org/
Barnhart School 
240 W.Colorado BlvdArcadia, Ca.91007(626)446-5588Head of School:Tonya BeilsteinKindergarten - 8th gradewebsite: www.barnhartschool.orgBethany Christian School93 N. Baldwin Ave. 
Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024(626)355-3527Preschool-TK-8th GradePrincipal: Jonathan Haweswebsite: www. bcslions.orgClairbourn School 
8400 Huntington DriveSan Gabriel, CA91775Phone: 626-286-3108 ext. 172FAX: 626-286-1528Marianne Ryanadministration@clairbourn.orgE-mail: jhawes@clairbourn.orgFoothill Oaks Academy822 E. Bradbourne Ave., Duarte, CA 91010(626)301-9809Principal: Nancy Lopezwww.foothilloaksacademy.orgoffice@foothilloaksacademy.orgFrostig School971 N. Altadena Drive 
Pasadena, CA 91107(626)791-1255Head of School: Jenny JanetzkeEmail: jenny@frostig.orgThe Gooden School 
192 N. Baldwin Ave. 
Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024(626)355-2410Head of School, Jo-Anne Woolnerwebsite: www.goodenschool.orgHoly Angels SchoolPK-8th Grade360 Campus DriveArcadia, CA91007626-447-6312office@holyangelsarcadia.orgPrincipal:Aimee Dyrekholyangelsarcadia.netHigh Point Academy1720 Kinneloa Canyon RoadPasadena, Ca. 91107 
Head of School: Gary Stern 626-798-8989website: www.highpointacademy.orgLa Salle College Preparatory3880 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. 
Pasadena, Ca.
(626)351-8951website: www.lasallehs.orgPrincipal Ernest SiyMonrovia High School325 East Huntington Drive,
Monrovia, CA91016(626)471-2800 Principal Darvin JacksonEmail: schools@monrovia.k12.ca.usOdyssey Charter School725 W.Altadena Dr.
Altadena, Ca. 91001(626)229-0993Head of School: Lauren O’Neillwebsite: www.odysseycharterschool.orgPasadena High School2925 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. Pasadena, Ca.
(626)396-5880Principal: Dr. Eric Barbawebsite: http://phs.pusd.usSt. Rita Catholic School 
322 N. Baldwin Ave. 
Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024Principal: Jon McMaster (626) 355-6114mcmaster@st-ritaschool.orgWebsite: www.st-ritaschool.orgSierra Madre Elementary School141 W. HighlandAve,
Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024(626)355-1428Principal: Dr. Jodi MarchessoE-mail address: marchesso.jodi@pusd.usSierra Madre Middle School 
160 N. Canon Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024(626)836-2947Principal: Garrett NewsomE-mail address: newsom.garrett@pusd.usWalden School 
74 S San Gabriel BlvdPasadena, CA 91107 (626) 792-6166www.waldenschool.netWeizmann Day School1434 N. Altadena Dr. 
Pasadena, Ca. 91107(626)797-0204Lisa Feldman: Head of SchoolWilson Middle School 
300 S. Madre St. 
Pasadena, Ca. 91107(626)449-7390 Principal: Ruth EsselnE-mail address: resseln@pusd.usPasadena Unified School District351 S. HudsonAve.,
Pasadena, Ca. 91109(626)396-3600Website: www.pusd@pusd.usArcadia Unified School District234 Campus Dr.,Arcadia, Ca. 91007(626)821-8300 Website: www.ausd.netMonrovia Unified School District325 E. Huntington Dr.,
Monrovia, Ca. 91016(626)471-2000Website: www.monroviaschools.netDuarte Unified School District1620 Huntington Dr., Duarte, Ca. 91010(626)599-5000Website: www.duarte.k12.ca.usMountain Views News May 9, 2026 
PASADENA UNIFIED TO SUSTAIN 
TRAUMA-RESPONSIVE HEALTH 
SERVICES THROUGH PARTNERSHIP 
WITH KAISER PERMANENTE AND 
THE PASADENA EDUCATIONAL 
FOUNDATION 
Three-year initiative supports mental and physical 
health for students, families, and staff after the 
Eaton Fire 
Pasadena, CA – The Pasadena Unified School 
District (PUSD) will preserve critical trauma-
responsive mental and physical health services 
for PUSD students in the aftermath of the Eaton 
Fire, thanks to a $5 million multi year grant 
from Kaiser Permanente through the Pasadena 
Educational Foundation (PEF). The grant will 
help sustain safe, trauma-responsive support 
throughout PUSD by ensuring that trained staff 
have the resources and professional learning to 
support student wellbeing. 
The grant also funds expanded hours at the 
PUSD Health Clinic, supports trauma-informed 
professional development for district employees, 
provides new confidential wellness spaces, 
equipment, and materials for school sites, and 
strengthens restorative practices and crisis-
response across the district. To ensure continuity 
of support for participating students, the grant 
funds the hiring of five seasonal Response 
to Intervention teachers for the Pasadena 
Educational Foundation’s Summer Enrichment 
Programs. 
“Kaiser Permanente’s health mission and PUSD’s 
educational mission are connected because 
education is so important to lifelong health,” 
said Michelle Gaskill-Hames, president, Kaiser 
Permanente Southern California and Hawaii,
Health Plan and Hospitals. "The Eaton Fire was 
a collective trauma for our communities, and 
severely impacted schools, students and their 
families. Trauma disrupts learning, relationships, 
and a child's sense of possibility. With this grant, 
Natalie Kreakopyan of Sierra Madre 
“Our students, families, and staff are still 
recovering from the Eaton Fire, and this grant 
from Kaiser Permanente and our partnership 
with the Pasadena Educational Foundation will 
help deepen and sustain the work we’ve been 
doing to support students’ social, emotional, 
and physical health,” said Dr. Elizabeth Blanco,
PUSD Superintendent. “Expanded mental 
health services at schools will provide enhanced 
trauma-responsive support so that every student 
feels cared for and able to learn.” 

Over the next three years, the grant will amplifyPUSD’s Student Wellness and Support Services 
and health programs, and support the hiring of 
clinical health, restorative practices, community, 
and support staff, significantly increasing access 
to mental and physical health care at PUSD 
schools. To date, the district has hired two 
clinical social workers and a restorative practices 
liaison who will work with students and provide 
training in peer mediation, conflict resolution, 
and community circles. PUSD is also in the 
process of hiring additional positions to further 
deepen student support services. 

we’re investing in the well-being of our children 
so they can overcome challenges, learn, and 
succeed.” 

By supporting this initiative, Kaiser Permanente is 
advancing its commitment to community health 
and resilience, helping children and families heal 
from trauma, and strengthening systems that 
promote emotional well-being throughout the 
Pasadena Unified community. 

The Pasadena Educational Foundation is the 
grant recipient and will manage the fund in close 
coordination with PUSD. 

“PEF and PUSD’s Student Wellness and Support 
Services team worked hand in hand on this grant,
designing a plan that meets the district’s goals and 
aligns with Kaiser Permanente’s commitment to 
community health,” said Dr. Patrick Conyers,
Executive Director of the Pasadena Educational 
Foundation. “This partnership ensures that 
students and families have access to coordinated, 
compassionate support, both inside the 
classroom and beyond it.” 


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com