When Pasadena High graduate Frank Young founded Theatre Under the Stars in 1968, he launched an artistic institution that would bring people of all ages closer to the world of musical theater, his lifelong passion.
  To honor his work, the Pasadena ISD Board of Trustees has named Young the district's Distinguished Alumnus for 2012. A 1958 PHS grad, Young will be honored at a reception on April 10 at the Administration Building. The 9 a.m. reception is open to the public.
  A plaque, to be placed on permanent display outside the Administration Building, will be unveiled at the reception.
  In 1985, with TUTS well established in national theater circles, Young brought a new phase of musical reformation to Houston when he founded the National Alliance for Musical Theatre in 1985. Over his long career, he has kept Houston in the national spotlight with his production work in over 300 musicals, including the 1993 pre-Broadway world premiere of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast."
  From director and producer to conductor and choreographer, Young has maintained mastery over all aspects of musical theater. He was chosen as the first recipient of Houston's "Leadership in the Arts" Award and was named one of TheatreWeek's "100 Most Powerful People in Theatre."
  In 2006, he received the "Lifetime Achievement Award" from the American Federation of Musicians. In 2007, former President George Bush awarded Young the American Musical Theatre Award.
  Young's Eagle pride shirt, a keepsake from his high-school days at Pasadena High, still drapes his office chair, a reminder of where it all began.
  A third-generation Pasadenian, Young attended Kruse Elementary and Jackson Junior High before moving on to PHS, where he served as captain of the Eagle band.
  Young's connection to the Pasadena ISD goes back even farther. His grandmother, Adella Krenick Young was a long-time home economics teacher at Pasadena High. Young Elementary is named in her honor.
  Still active in the Pasadena ISD community, Young partners with local high-school theater productions. His devotion to education outreach has brought thousands of students closer to the world of musical theater.

  PREVIOUS DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS AWARD RECIPIENTS
  2011 -- Dr. Mike McKinney, Sam Rayburn, 1969
  2010 -- Rick Schriever, Sam Rayburn, 1973
  2009 -- Dr. Byron Tapley, Pasadena High, 1951
  2008 -- James R. Smith, South Houston, 1960
  2007 -- Dr. Carlton Horbelt, Pasadena High, 1973
  2006 -- Dr. Mary Campbell-Fox, Dobie, 1976
  2005 -- J. Michael Solar, Sam Rayburn, 1971
  2004 -- Dr. Paul Zanowiak, South Houston, 1965
  2003 -- Martin Cominsky, Pasadena High, 1976
  2002 -- Dr. Bill Allen, Pasadena High, 1951
  2001 -- Bill Shock, Pasadena High, 1954
  2000 -- Ben Meador, Pasadena High, 1957
  1999 -- Bill McMillin, Pasadena High, 1958
  1998 -- Robert Smith, Pasadena High, 1971
  1997 -- Larry Forehand, Pasadena High, 1962
  1996 -- Jonah Boyd, Pasadena High, 1955