North Hollywood High Wins Science Contest

San Fernando Valley schools swept the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Science Bowl on Saturday, and a team from North Hollywood High School captured first place in the regional competition for the fourth year in a row.

Members of North Hollywood’s A Team will compete in the National Science Bowl May 5-8 in Washington, D.C.

North Hollywood’s B Team took second place in the daylong contest at DWP’s downtown headquarters. A.G.B.U. Manoogian-Demirdjian School, a private Armenian campus in Canoga Park, placed third. Fourth place went to El Camino Real High School in Woodland Hills.

DWP spokesman Walter Zeisl said two of North Hollywood’s team members will be making their second appearance in the national contest, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy. They are Jeff Zira, the team captain, and Daniel Bersohn. The other members of the top team are Julia Hu, Jeanne Shen and David Lee.

Zeisl said the Science Bowl not only “showcases the outstanding achievements of our local young people, it also underscores the importance, as well as the fun and excitement, of the science and technology fields.”

The annual regional competition, one of about 60 around the U.S., is open to public schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District and to private and parochial schools in the city of Los Angeles.

This year, 210 students from 29 high schools squared off for scholarships, gift certificates, trophies and funds for their schools. Bill Nye, former host of the public television program “Bill Nye the Science Guy,” moderated the final rounds.

Patterned on the old GE College Bowl television game show, the Science Bowl features round-robin contests among five-member teams. Questions cover science, math and technology subjects.

North Hollywood’s first-place finish Saturday will give the school another crack at a national championship. It placed fourth last year and second in both 1998 and 1999.