Inspiring Students Take Center Stage

Eighty-nine students in the Long Beach Unified School District, or one from each school, were honored at the recent Most Inspiring Students Awards at the Long Beach Hilton.

The evening of stories about local students who have beaten the odds was sponsored by the Long Beach Education Foundation.  This year's Wizard of Oz theme was brought to life with student performances, courtesy of Renaissance High School for the Arts.

Masters of Ceremonies were Frank Mottek, new anchor for KNX 1070 Radio and KTLA-TV Channel 5; and Mike Murray, president of the foundation.

Winning the Superintendent's Distinguished Community Service Award at this year's event were Long Beach First Lady Nancy Foster (the wife of Mayor Bob Foster), along with community activist Justin Rudd.