Astronaut to Present Energy Scholarships

Astronaut Scott J. Horowitz will present a series of scholarships to local high school seniors tonight as part of Energy Day ’98 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

The local chapter of the nonprofit American Petroleum Institute, which sponsors the annual event, is paying for the scholarships.

Horowitz, a Newbury Park High School alumnus, will hand out 11 scholarships worth a total of $7,500. Recipients include: Mireya Gonzalez of Oxnard; Nick Guzman, Bader Hijaz, Alejandra Caballero and Catherine Chen of Camarillo; Karina Villagomez and Maria Fernandez of Port Hueneme; Patrick Fisher of Thousand Oaks; Rebecca Brock of Fillmore; Tiffany Holmes of Lompoc; and Stephanie Norris of Carpinteria.

Floyd Clawson, co-chairman of this year’s Energy Day, said the scholarships are the most important part of the event and the institute. The event also includes workshops and technical sessions.

Several hundred high school students will tour the event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and scholarship recipients will be honored at a 6 p.m. barbecue dinner.

Admission to the exhibits and technical sessions is free, and the dinner costs $20 in advance and $25 at the door. For more information, call 448-3615 or 647-7076.