The 35th Annual Smart-A-Thon benefitting the Mary Pinola Education Fund (https://www.pinolafund.org/) was held on Friday, March 13 at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital. The annual fundraiser is the biggest the Mary Pinola Education Fund holds; proceeds are distributed to various local education groups. In the past, these have included the robotics team and music foundation of Crescenta Valley High School, the YMCA of the Foothills, and the VFW/American Legion. 

At Friday’s event, dozens of teams of at least four people took part in an afternoon that included mingling, lunching and stretching. Dr. Armand Dorian, CEO of USC-VHH, welcomed the crowd before civic leader Steve Pierce gave the invocation.

VFW members Dick Clubb, Annie Babson, Tom Pollock, Quentin Swan, Lynn McGinnis, Ron Bularz, Rik Middleton and Vic Bustillos led the group in the pledge of allegiance. Introducing the teams were the emcees of the day, CV Sheriff’s Captain Ryan Vienna and GUSD Superintendent Dr. Darneika Watson. 

But the main reason teams came was to compete in the Smart-A-Thon trivia contest. With an admonition not to use electronic devices, the competition started with folks having about 20 minutes to answer 70 questions. Trivia questions ranged from “Which of the following is not an oxymoron?” to “Which of the following is not a body of water?” The main prize was split between two teams: the Pasadena-Sierra Madre YMCA and Falkon robotics team 589 from Crescenta Valley High School.

In addition two non-profits earned $500 for their organization: the Crescenta Valley Instrumental Music Foundation and the VFW. There was also a pot o’ gold that people could estimate what was its value. Tina Montgomery guessed closest at $362.10 (though Prom Plus came close at $362). The actual amount of the pot was $362.70.

Whether leaving the event with bragging rights of being a winner or having a full tummy from a plentiful lunch, no one left the Smart-A-Thon a loser.

By Robin GOLDSWORTHY