Young artists receive awards and display their works

Chloe Weiller of Thousand Oaks High School won a fourthplace prize of $100 in the 2007 Tamima Al-Awar Memorial Scholarship Program sponsored by Focus on the Masters and the Ventura County Arts Council. Erica M. Honles of Camarillo Young At Art received honorable mention.

The Tamima AlAwar Memorial Scholarship Program provides a total of $1,850 in scholarships to high school seniors who plan to pursue art in college and the opportunity for all students applying for the scholarships to exhibit their work at the Ventura County Government Center in Ventura.

All applicants are Ventura County residents. Awards are based on artistic merit and commitment as demonstrated by the application, a portfolio and essay. Up to two applications from each Ventura County high school were accepted.

The students applying for the scholarships are featured in an exhibit titled "Expressions of Our Youth 2007" at the Ventura County Government Center, Hall of Administration lobby through June 12. The scholarships were announced during the May 10 reception and awards ceremony.

The other participating local artists include: Wanda Buczkowski, Camarillo, Adolfo Camarillo High School; Emily Grooters, Simi Valley, Trinity Pacific Christian School; Daniel Kuo, Simi Valley, Santa Susana Magnet High School; Eun-Hyun Oak, Simi Valley, Santa Susana Magnet High School; Ryan Penfield, Thousand Oaks, Thousand Oaks High School; and Jamie Pillsbury, Camarillo, Adolfo Camarillo High.

The scholarship fund was established by an anonymous donor to honor Tamima Michele Al-Alwar, daughter of Khaled and Sheryl Al-Awar of Ojai. Before her death in 2002, Tamima planned to pursue a degree in fine arts. Focus on the Masters and the Ventura County Arts Council are nonprofit organizations.