Steve Allen Excellence in Education Award

Given to the Valley's Top Schools

(San Fernando Valley, CA) - The Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley recognizes outstanding schools, educators or students in the San Fernando Valley who have brought national attention to the region, with the 3rd Annual Steve Allen "Excellence in Education" Award. The award is named for long-time Valley resident and legendary entertainer Steve Allen, who valued learning and spent much of his later years focused on speaking and writing about the importance of education.

The eight Valley recipients of the Steve Allen "Excellence in Education" Awards are: Kathleen Genovese Haworth, Nationally Distinguished Principal; Pam Mason, Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics; Jennifer Yoo, National Milken Family Foundation Educator Award; Rocky Young, National Pacesetter of the Year - Community College CEO recognition; Chatsworth High School, National Engineering Inspiration Award 'Robotics Hall of Fame;' Michael Blume of Crescenta Valley High School, Daniel Karlin of Calabasas High School, and Peter Lu of Calabasas High School for a perfect 1600 on their Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).

Allen, who created the original "Tonight Show" and composed more than 8,000 songs, was the first Master of Ceremonies for the Economic Alliance's Valley of the Stars Gala Dinner & Awards Ceremony. He made numerous appearances for fund raising events around the Valley with his wife of 46 years, actress Jayne Meadows. Their son, Bill Allen, was the Economic Alliance's first president and CEO, and presented the awards.

Said Bruce Ackerman, president and CEO of the Economic Alliance, "As a regional, economic development organization, we are delighted to present this education award, paying tribute to these outstanding students, schools and educators, and to Steve Allen, a true Valley legend. In an increasingly knowledge-based economy like ours, it is education that fuels the engines of our economic growth."