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Student Awards
Student Awards
In a tribute to our youngest supporters, the Friends introduced an annual student award in 2025 to recognize and award student library volunteers for their commitment and contributing assistance to the various services and events provided by the Friends organization and the Woodland Hills Library. The award is designed to honor those young adults who volunteer their time to help with our book sales and sorting sessions. Money for the award is made possible from proceeds from the Friends’ quarterly book sales.
Award Recipients
Award Recipients
Double the spring honors!
🌟 Typically, the Friends of the Woodland Hills Library presents one award in the spring and one in the fall. But in 2026, two spring candidates delivered such remarkable work that choosing just one was impossible—we presented two student awards for the spring!🌟
Congratulations to these inspiring award recipients!
Dalaram Zare
Dalaram Zare
2026 Student Award Recipient
Spring 2026
Delaram Zare started volunteering in 2017 while a student at Taft High School. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree in biotechnology at California State University and began medical school at Touro University in July.
“After finishing my undergraduate degree, I was exhausted from studying and I wanted to get more involved in the community,” Delaram said, “so I came back to volunteer at the library. There is something incredibly calming about being surrounded by books, especially in a time when most books and media have become digital.”
“Volunteering became a way for Delaram to reconnect, not only with books, but with the community,” said Friends of Woodland Hills Branch Library board member Marlene Willauer. “She came every Wednesday to help sort books and has been a big assist at the book sales.”
Pictured above, Delaram Zare (right) receives her student award from Friends board member Marlene Willauer.
Hanna Pezeshki
Hanna Pezeshki
2026 Student Award Recipient
Spring 2026
Hanna Pezeshki started volunteering at Woodland Hills Branch Library in 2024, saying, “I enjoy being in environments that promote learning, curiosity and community. One of my favorite parts of volunteering is organizing materials and assisting visitors, as it allows me to contribute to a space where people can explore and grow.”
“When Hanna started volunteering, she helped facilitate the weekly STEAM programs,” says Rachael Zak, Woodland Hills Young Adult Librarian. “She has helped with multiple book sales and remains a consistent teen volunteer making a positive difference at the library.”
Pictured above, Hanna Pezeshki (left) receives her student award from Teen Librarian Rachel Zak in July, 2026.
Diego Gonzalez
Diego Gonzalez
2025 Student Award Recipient
Fall 2025
Arriving on the final day of the Friends book sale in December, Diego later said, “My dad and I decided to check out the Friends to see if I wanted to volunteer and you put us to work immediately assembling boxes.” Ever since, he has worked on all the book sales and sorts books nearly every Wednesday.
“I like volunteering with the Friends. Everyone has interesting stories to tell,” he said. “The Friends add so much to the Community.”
Pictured above, Diego Gonzalez (center) and his parents receives his student award from Board Member and founder of the Student Awards Felice Goodman (left).
Lainey Moore
Lainey Moore
2025 Student Award Recipient
Spring 2025
“Her attitude, her smarts, her ability to collaboratively work with others made her an outstanding individual for the first award,” said Felice Goodman, Chair of the Student Awards Committee.
“What impressed us about Lainey is her reliability and motivation to make sure all books are organized and properly displayed,” added Ms. Goodman.
Pictured above, Lainey Moore (center) with her parents.
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