Media Release | South Pasadena High School Alumni Association
The South Pasadena High School Alumni Association has proudly awarded this year’s Janet Anderson “Tiger Spirit” SPHS Faculty/Staff Appreciation Award to retiring social studies teacher Maryann Nielsen.
Ms. Nielsen received overwhelming support for the award, which recognizes an outstanding high school faculty or staff member each year in honor of the school’s longtime principal, Janet Anderson, a 1974 SPHS graduate.
The announcement was made on May 29 at the annual Farewell Assembly by Michael Thurman ’75, SPHSAA President, and Ms. Anderson.
Ms. Nielsen is the first recipient of the “Tiger Spirit” award who is also an alumna of South Pasadena schools, having graduated from SPHS as a member of the Class of 1981. During her 20-year career at SPHS, she taught History and Government classes and served as Chair of the Social Studies Department.
She was named a Los Angeles County Teacher of the Year in 2012 and received the 2022 “SPHS Teacher of the Year” award from the Oneonta Club.
Maryann has also been a longtime volunteer—alongside her husband, David Zieger—for the SPHS Booster Club’s weekly Tiger Bingo program. She also leads a group of students to Washington, D.C. annually through the Close Up Washington program.
Former principal Anderson commended her for coordinating the annual Flower Chain for graduation, advocating for student rights and voter registration, and supporting students by attending many of their games, dances, activities, and performances.
As one of her SPHS colleagues stated, “Maryann is the definition of Tiger Spirit. She bleeds orange and black and is a vital member of our SPHS. She was an integral part of our school as a student, and she continues to represent Tiger values as a veteran teacher.”
The Alumni Association is deeply grateful for Maryann Nielsen’s dedicated service to SPHS students.
