Local students apply for arts scholarships

Focus on the Masters and the Ventura County Arts Council recently announced the 2009 Tamima AlAwar Memorial Scholarship Program applicants. All applicants are students at Ventura County schools.

Local applicants are Gracie Canaan, Westlake High School; Jamie Fujimoto, Newbury Park High School; Soo Jin Lee, Santa Susana High School; Heriberto Morales, Moorpark Community High School; Vivian Shih, Westlake High School; Romark Weiss, Newbury Park High School.

The program provides $3,500 in scholarships to high school seniors who plan to pursue art in college. All students who met the application guidelines will display their work in an exhibition titled "Expressions of Our Youth 2009" from March 13 through April 29 in the Ventura County Government Center, Hall of Administration lobby.

Awards are based on artistic merit and commitment as demonstrated by the application, a portfolio and essay.

The scholarships will be announced at a reception and awards ceremony on March 13.

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. Additional funding is provided by the Ventura County Arts Council.