The annual District 24 Scholarship Dinner Dance puts “a spotlight on all the wonderful things that are going on in our district,” according to UFT District 24 Representative Rosemary Parker. This year, on April 21, 450 turned out to honor those from the Queens school community who are making a difference. UFT President Michael Mulgrew told attendees that the union relies on their activism for rallies, press conferences, phone banks and more. Teacher Mary Anne Walter of PS 89 was honored for her many contributions to the union and to her school, including to innovative programs such as an annual Giving Tree where staff members adopt school families during the holiday season and a holiday card drive she organized in which students sent more than 2,000 cards to military personnel. Lucy Accardo, a parent and Community Education Council 24 member who was honored for her work, told the gathering that teacher evaluations should be based on the amazing things teachers do in the classroom every day rather than on two state tests. Ellen Gallin Procida, the director of the UFT Grievance Department, was honored as both a consummate teacher and a strong union leader. Scholarships went to Tramy Dong, a 5th-grader at PS 89, and 14-year-old Anna Ribeiro of PS/IS 102. Also receiving awards were New York City Councilwoman Julissa Ferreras, who has drawn national attention to the issues of domestic violence and human trafficking in New York City; paraprofessional Irene Oliva-Sutherlann of PS 19; school secretary Eleanor Reilly of PS/IS 113; Allyson Conte and Melissa Gonzalez, the PTA co-presidents at PS 58; Dr. Sibylle Ajwani, the principal of PS 229; and Candice Lowe, an assistant principal at PS 88. Also attending the event was City Councilman Daniel Dromm, a former chapter leader in the district.