Youth

News for the 18-and-younger crowd

SANTA ANA

Program Boosts English Skills

Students in a federally funded program designed to boost English and literacy skills recently presented a talent showcase at Santa Ana High School.

The showcase, which featured students enrolled in Project Adolescent Literacy, sought to show that even though some students born in other countries may not speak fluent English yet, they do have other talents, said Anaida Colon-Muniz, director of Santa Ana Unified School District’s English language development program and bilingual education.

“This type of program gives students an opportunity to build their self-esteem, which in turn helps them perform better in school. It also makes parents proud,” she said.

During the program, students recited poems, performed skits and sang songs, including an altered version of “La Bamba,” in which youngsters changed lyrics to include career choices.

Project Adolescent Literacy serves 800 students on eight district campuses. The program is aimed at districts with high proportions of students with limited English skills, Colon-Muniz said.

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GARDEN GROVE

Singers Invited to Vienna Festival

The La Quinta High School Vocal Ensemble has been invited to perform at an international musical festival in Vienna, Austria, in the summer.

Eight other musical groups from the United States are participating in the annual Youth and Music Festival, which is expected to draw participants from 42 countries. La Quinta’s group is the only representative from Southern California.

The school’s string ensemble will accompany the choir.

Choir director Steve Hensley said the group will need about $75,000 for the trip. Students and parents have started a fund-raising effort. Donations may be made to La Quinta Choir, 10372 McFadden Ave., Westminster. Call (714) 663-6315 for additional information.

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LA HABRA

Grant Received for Medical Students

Sonora High School has been awarded a $1,200 grant to help students attend the Medical Career Academy, which offers vocational and academic courses involving the medical field, at Sonoma State University.

Medical Careers Academy students will get a chance to take the courses beginning in the 1995-96 school year.

--COMPILED BY MIMI KO, WITH JON NALICK, BERT ELJERA AND RUSS LOAR