Area students go to ARTS Week

The most promising young artistic talents in California have been selected to participate in the 2005 ARTS Week, sponsored by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts, from Jan. 1 to 16 in Miami, Fla.

At stake are individual cash awards of up to $10,000 and the opportunity to share in a $3 million college scholarship package.

Participating are young actors, dancers, filmmakers, classical and jazz musicians, vocalists, writers and photographers, all of whom have demonstrated unusual promise in their respective art form. The 130 winners will also have the chance to be named Presidential Scholars in the Arts at a White House ceremony.

Local students who will be competing in Florida in January are:

•Melinda Loretta Sullivan of Newbury Park, honorable mention award in tap dance. Melinda is home-schooled.

•Jesse William Littlejohn of Calabasas, winner in poetry and honorable mention award in short story writing. Jesse attends Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan.

•Melissa Gail Wolfish of Calabasas, honorable mention award in non-fiction writing, merit award in short story writing. Melissa attends Agoura High School.

•Victor Alonzo Gould of Simi Valley, honorable mention award in jazz with keyboard and merit award in jazz composition. Victor attends Los Angeles County High School for the Arts.

•Scott Wesley Pascal of West Hills, merit award in ballet. Scott attends Calabasas High School.