Nia Bailey, PEN Executive Director Nancy Dufford, and Angie Uriu at Pasadena Education Network's Wine and Spirit Tasting at the Shakespeare Villa [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Honorees Victoria Knapp, Jennifer Miyake-Trapp, Paul Nerenberg, and Maria Chavez at Pasadena Education Network's Wine and Spirit Tasting at the Shakespeare Villa [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Tina Pham, Susan Schwartz, and PEN Board President Jennifer Allan Goldman at Pasadena Education Network's Wine and Spirit Tasting at the Shakespeare Villa [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Kelly Bradley, Sara Ruffin, Ray Ruffin, and Nate Bradley at Pasadena Education Network's Wine and Spirit Tasting at the Shakespeare Villa [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Elizabeth Torres and Leslie Tamppari at Pasadena Education Network's Wine and Spirit Tasting at the Shakespeare Villa [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Jonathan Gardner, Bryant Mathews, and Adam Wierman at Pasadena Education Network's Wine and Spirit Tasting at the Shakespeare Villa [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Chris Swan, Lisa Swan, Tim Stough, Paul Backstrom, Keller O'Rourke, and Emily Stough at Pasadena Education Network's Wine and Spirit Tasting at the Shakespeare Villa [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Lawton Gray III, Benita Scheckel, and Diane Orona at Pasadena Education Network's Wine and Spirit Tasting at the Shakespeare Villa [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Nan Ye and Ale Singh at Pasadena Education Network's Wine and Spirit Tasting at the Shakespeare Villa [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Annika Alva, Dustin Paddock, and Nina Paddock at Pasadena Education Network's Wine and Spirit Tasting at the Shakespeare Villa [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Sylvia Amendolara and Jennifer Higginbotham at Pasadena Education Network's Wine and Spirit Tasting at the Shakespeare Villa [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Craig Dayman, Frances Dayman, and Diane Orona at Pasadena Education Network's Wine and Spirit Tasting at the Shakespeare Villa [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Susan Hecht and Honoree Paul Nerenberg at Pasadena Education Network's Wine and Spirit Tasting at the Shakespeare Villa [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Anwara Mazumder, Annette Aghadjanians, and Lilia Franco at Pasadena Education Network's Wine and Spirit Tasting at the Shakespeare Villa [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Scott Uriu and Dustin Paddock at Pasadena Education Network's Wine and Spirit Tasting at the Shakespeare Villa [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Linda Hernandez and Rocio Tafoya at Pasadena Education Network's Wine and Spirit Tasting at the Shakespeare Villa [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Erin Donovan and Gabriela Wiltrout at Pasadena Education Network's Wine and Spirit Tasting at the Shakespeare Villa [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
The Pasadena Education Network (PEN) hosted its 14th Annual Wine & Spirits Tasting on April 21, drawing a crowd of 140 attendees to the Shakespeare Villa in Pasadena. The event, which unfolded amid the elegant backdrop of the historic building, raised approximately $24,000 to support family participation in the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD).
The evening event, held from 5 to 8 p.m., served not only as a fundraiser but also as an occasion to honor distinguished parent volunteers who had significantly impacted local students. This year, PEN recognized Maria Chavez, Victoria Knapp, and Paul Nerenberg for their exemplary dedication to fostering community involvement within the schools. Additionally, Jennifer Miyake-Trapp was presented with the PEN Founders Award, a testament to her steadfast commitment to PEN’s mission.
Guests at the gathering enjoyed a selection of wines generously provided by Silverlake Wine and premium Italian spirits courtesy of Cocktail Cadre. The culinary experience was enhanced by appetizing offerings from Stems and delightful desserts from Nothing Bundt Cakes. The ambiance was further enriched by musical performances from the Blair Strings musicians, creating a harmonious blend of culture and community spirit.
The event also featured a silent auction, which contributed to the fundraising efforts, underscoring the community’s commitment to supporting educational initiatives in Pasadena, Altadena, and Sierra Madre.
As a grassroots nonprofit, PEN plays a pivotal role in promoting parental engagement in public education. With a network of over 2,000 parents, PEN advocates for active community involvement to ensure robust educational opportunities for all students in the district.
Additional information about PEN’s initiatives and upcoming events can be found on their website at www.penfamilies.org or by contacting PEN directly at (866) 216-7334.
