HONOREES
JACKSON ANNUAL FUND
As an esteemed member of the Altadena Town Council and the Altadena Historical Society, her contributions to the community are far reaching. She has lived in the Altadena area for over 50 years. Her service to the community includes working for the City of Pasadena for 20+ years. She has been a great champion for diversity and giving a voice to the underrepresented in our community. Through her tireless effort she has helped uncover and celebrate untold stories of historical members of Altadena.
Mrs. Jones has always been a champion for Jackson. When district cuts removed cross guards at our school, she partnered with Principal Rita Exposito and advocated for our students' safety to LA County, Pasadena City and PUSD. When our PTA created a committee to explore finding a name that better represented our school community, they looked for resources to help identify candidates. With the help of Mrs. Jones, the team was connected to the resources available by the Altadena Town Council, Altadena Historical Society and the Altadena Library. She helped the team create forums for the community to voice their concerns and ideas that in turn helped our Name Change committee in the final selection of Mary W Jackson as the new school’s name.
She stands before us as a beacon of inspiration, embodying the essence of service and commitment. Her ability to unite divergent viewpoints and foster consensus is nothing short of remarkable, laying the groundwork for a transformative journey towards inclusivity and representation. Her invaluable contributions will forever be etched in our community’s history. Thank you for your unwavering dedication to our community.
Mrs. Exposito embarked on her journey as principal of Andrew Jackson Elementary in 2010, following her dedicated service as a resource teacher at Washington Accelerated Elementary. Her tenure at Jackson marked an extraordinary transformation, steering the school from the brink of closure to becoming the largest and one of the most sought-after elementary schools in the district.
Under Mrs. Exposito’s visionary leadership, Jackson Elementary secured a federal magnet grant, paving the way for the development of a state-of-the-art STEM program including a dedicated science lab on the campus. In addition, she worked with the district to expand the district’s Spanish DLIP programming. The combination of these two signature programs made Jackson stand out, not only within the district, but across the entire state of California.
Rita Exposito’s commitment to holistic development extended beyond academics. Through strategic partnerships, such as the Garden School Foundation and Amigos de los Rios, she orchestrated a complete metamorphosis of the campus, from the installation of the garden to the creation of a verdant green space conducive to learning and growth.
Moreover, Mrs. Exposito fostered a culture of collaboration and inclusivity, working hand in hand with parents and community stakeholders to expand the array of opportunities available to students. Her efforts resonated deeply, nurturing a profound sense of belonging and camaraderie among teachers, staff, students and the wider community.
Her legacy will continue to illuminate the path forward, enriching the lives of generations to come.
Please consider making a donation to Jackson's Annual Fund in honor of this year's honorees
PREVIOUS HONOREES
2023
2022
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
ELIZABETH HOLLE
LINDA KEAVY
WHITNEY REESE
SALVADOR REYES
SHANON SMITH
JOCELYN STRICKLAND
RACHAEL BLACK
CLAIRE ROBINSON & AMIGOS DE LOS RIOS
DIEGO FERNANDEZ
ARACELLY MENDOZA
XIOMARA TOVAR
ALL CITY ORCHESTRA FROM PASADENA
SYMPHONY & POPS
LILIANA AWORI
KAHLIL HARRINGTON
VICTOR AND IRMA SALDANA
PERRY BENNETT
ESBEIDA CARDENAS
BILL CREIM
MAYA SHARP
LEONCIO AND MARIA GUERRA
DELIA MARTINEZ
Due to the COVID pandemic, the selection of honorees was suspended for 2020 and 2021