February 1, 2005 > Fef To Honor Community Members For Excellence In Education

by Praveena Raman

Fremont Education Foundation (FEF) will host a fundraising event to benefit their Innovative Education Grants program which funds exceptional and innovative programs in the Fremont Unified School District by honoring two community members.

Honorees for this year are Rick Geha and Garo Mirigian who have made significant contributions to educational excellence in Fremont. This is FEF's third annual Excellence in Education Gala.

Geha, a Fremont native and active community member is well known to non-profit organizations, "Virtually no one can be involved with non-profit organizations without knowing Rick Geha," said FUSD board member Nina Moore.

He has served on the Ohlone College Foundation Board of Directors since 1993, and as past president from 1997- 2004. He is chair for the Ohlone-Washington Hospital Joint Powers Authority Board which was formed to distribute $1.5 million to the Ohlone College Nursing program over a period of five years. He served on the board of directors for Kidango and continues to officiate as Master of Ceremonies for their Taster's Showcase event. He also serves as Master of Ceremonies for FEF's annual Music Telethon, LOV's Elegant Affaire, Fremont Symphony's Magical Forest, and the Ohlone College Foundation's annual Citizen of the Year Luncheon.

Mirigian, a music and social studies teacher, and past principal of Centerville Junior High is a recipient of the Golden Oak Award from the PTA and the Middle Schools Principal of the Year award for Region VI from the Association of California School Administrators. He is an active member of the Centerville Business Association and believes in building partnership between the school and the community. He started the Thor Throats singing group at Irvington High School and the Town Criers singing group at American High School.

The Gala is on Friday, Feb. 25 at the Golden Peacock Banquet and Bistro, 3681 Peralta blvd., Fremont from 6 -10 p.m. Tickets are $75 each (with a tax deductible portion of $45) and $750 for a sponsor table (with a tax deductible portion of $450). Entertainment will be provided by FUSD students and staff with the theme of "Night of Broadway." A silent auction and raffle will be held.

For more information call (510) 659-2561 or email nmoore@earthlink.net or visit their website at www.fremont-education.org.