The Pasadena Independent School
District Alumni Association is accepting nominations for the
district's Distinguished Alumnus Award for 2008.
This annual award recognizes an alumnus who has made
significant contributions to society and whose
accomplishments and career have brought credit to the
Pasadena school district. The honoree will be recognized in
March 2008. Deadline for applications is Dec. 7, 2007.
Those wishing to nominate an alumnus can print off a
nomination form on the district website at
www.pasadenaisd.org/alumni/awardnominate.htm.
Return this completed form with
any supporting documentation (resume, letter of
recommendation, etc.) to the Pasadena Independent School
District, Attn. Candace Ahlfinger, 1515 Cherrybrook,
Pasadena, Texas 77502. The submission should also include
the name of the person making the nomination, along with
their phone number and e-mail address.
Last year, special needs dentist Carlton Horbelt received
the award. He had earned a distinguished worldwide
reputation as a leader and authority in special care
dentistry and has devoted himself both nationally and
internationally to volunteer service organizations that
advocate improved oral health for persons with special
needs. In 2005, he received the international Harold Berk
Award for exemplary contributions to the oral health of
persons with disabilities.
The South Belt physician Mary Campbell-Fox was the recipient
of the Distinguished Alumna award in 2006. She is a 1976
Dobie graduate and the founder of Campbell Family Practice
and Internal Medicine Associates. She also served as the
Chief of Staff at Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital in
2003. In many various roles, Campbell-Fox has served as a
mentor and role model to many students in Pasadena ISD. For
many years, she has volunteered her time for well-baby
clinics at Tegeler Career Center. She also serves as the
medical director for the WAVE Clinic, which is a
school-based clinic in the Pasadena school district that
serves the needs of children and families that cannot afford
regular health care.
In 2005, 1971 Sam Rayburn High School graduate and
international attorney J. Michael Solar received the award.
Solar headed the legal team that drafted the North American
Free Trade Agreement and is also involved in a number of
humanitarian issues.
The award began in 1996, when the late Jonah Boyd was
honored with the award. He was a 1955 graduate of Pasadena
High School and served as principal of L.F. Smith Elementary
from 1971-1995. The following year 1962 PHS graduate Larry
Forehand received the Distinguished Alumnus Award. Forehand
is founder and vice-president of Casa Ole' Restaurants.
California lawyer Robert Smith, a 1971 PHS graduate, was the
1998 honoree; while Bill McMillin, a 1958 PHS graduate and
owner of McMillin Insurance and Real Estate, was the 1999
honoree and Ben Meador, a 1957 PHS graduate and president
and CEO of Meador Staffing Services, received the award in
2000. Bill Shock, a school volunteer and former employee of
Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., received the award in March
2001. The late Dr. Bill Allen, a pioneer in the field of
nuclear medicine and 1951 PHS graduate, was honored
posthumorously in 2002. Allen's wife, Elizabeth, accepted
the award in his memory. Martin Cominsky, 1976 Pasadena High
School graduate and executive director for the southwest
division of the Anti-Defamation League, was named as the
district's 2003 Distinguished Alumnus.
The late Dr. Paul Zanowiak, a 1965 South Houston High
graduate was honored posthumously in 2004. He had operated a
well-known Houston area dental practice, The Smile Store,
and also was known for performing humanitarian work
overseas.
The eligibility criteria for the Distinguished Alumnus Award
are as follows:
* The award is a one-time honor; therefore previous award
recipients are not eligible.
* Current employees of Pasadena ISD are not eligible.
* Members of the Pasadena ISD Alumni Association Board, the
Award Nominating Committee or their relatives are not
eligible for consideration.
* Must have attended any Pasadena ISD school during his or
her elementary or secondary school years.
* Be distinguished in his or her business, profession, life
work or other worthy endeavor.
* Be a person of such integrity, stature and demonstrated
ability that the award will reflect honor on the Pasadena
school district and create a sense of pride among the
members of the community.
* Nominee must be present to receive the award unless the
nomination is submitted
posthumously.
* No person will be chosen for the award while a candidate
for an elected public office in the year of the award.