Glendale News-Press: Latino Group Honors Community Leaders

By Ruth Sowby

Members of the Glendale Latino Assn. make any event a party. The tone of their annual Community Awards Luncheon was fun with just the right amount of earnestness. On Thursday more than 200 members and guests gathered at the Oakmont Country Club to honor community leaders.

Glendale Mayor Frank Quintero offered greetings from the city. Quintero is the founder and past president of the Glendale Latino Assn. His remarks were followed by the introduction of VIP’s by Past President Mercy Velazquez. All members of the Glendale Unified school board were out in force — Mary Boger, Greg Krikorian, Nayiri Nahabedian, Joylene Wagner and Christine Walter. Representing the Glendale Community College Board of Trustees was Anita Quinonez-Gabrielian, also a member of the association.

Now it was time for business. The 2013 association officers were installed by the Hon. Gus Gomez of the Los Angeles Superior Court Judge. Missing due to illness was new association president Nancy Guillen.

The heart of the program was the recognition of the 2013 honorees. Woman of the Year Robin Goldsworthy was presented with a crystal plaque by last year’s Woman of the Year, Denise Miller. Goldsworthy is the owner and publisher of the Crescenta Valley Weekly.

Man of the Year Glendale Police Chief Ron De Pompa was given his crystal plaque by the 2012 Man of the Year Glendale Community College Police Chief Gary Montecuollo. As a Gold Sponsor for today’s luncheon, Chief Montecuollo also contributed $1,000 toward association student scholarships.

Applauding the loudest for De Pompa was mother Rosemary De Pompa. As mother of six, mom said the kids gave her plenty of gray hairs. But this afternoon the gray hairs were all on Chief Ron’s head. “I’m seven years past retirement,” he said. “I’ll retire when I’ve had three bad days in a row. Thanks to a good team I haven’t had three bad days in a row.”

Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center was named 2013 Business of the Year. Glendale Memorial is a 334-bed acute care hospital, serving the community for 85 years plus.

Members of the Glendale Latino Assn. have awarded more than $17,500 in scholarships to students in the Glendale Unified School District and Glendale Community College. Applications for the 2013 scholarship awards are due March 15.

Source: Glendale News-Press