THOUSAND OAKS : 10 Youths Honored by City Council

A Thousand Oaks teen-ager who raised money for reconstruction projects in Israel, and a recovering drug user who counsels junior high school students were among 10 teen-agers who received awards Tuesday from the City Council.

Melissa Kahn, a Colina Intermediate School student, worked with a Jewish youth group that donated money toward a fund to rebuild homes damaged by Scud missiles during the Persian Gulf War.

Heather Ann Davis, a Thousand Oaks High School student, spoke to other students on drug abuse after she successfully underwent drug rehabilitation.

The 10 youths were recognized for their work during a a special ceremony at City Hall.

Also honored were Ari Kirshenbaum, a Thousand Oaks High School student for his work in Safe Rides; Edmundo Prieto, a Colina Intermediate School student who worked with special education students; Agnes Chen, a Westlake High School student and volunteer working with the handicapped, and Saadi Imam, a Colina Intermediate School student who has worked with the Islamic Center of the Conejo Valley.

Also receiving awards were Thousand Oaks High School students Lalanya Earl, a volunteer at Los Robles Regional Medical Center, and Julie Sugino for her work with the Thousand Oaks Youth Commission and as a volunteer with the Manna emergency food bank in Thousand Oaks. Also honored were Newbury Park High School students Catherine Ellis, a Youth Congress organizer, and Dena Foose, who raised money for a memorial fund when a friend was killed in a car accident.