Gatherings:

The La Cañada Thursday Club has awarded scholarships to 10 local high school students. Scholarships were awarded based on the students’ academic achievement as well as service to their community.

Ruth Barber is a member of the National Honor Society, the California Scholastic Federation, is a National Merit Finalist, the president/section leader of the LCHS Marching Band and Alto section leader/treasurer of the LCHS Chamber Singers. She is a Girl Scout Gold Award recipient and was a Les Fleurettes debutante. Ruth will be attending the University of Southern California in the baccalaureate/MD program and will major in chemistry and Spanish.

Kira Bartholomew is active in ballet, the LCHS Marching Band, Concert Band, Advanced Band, the Chamber Singers and spent a month studying in France as part of the Tufts Youth & Government summer program. Kira will attend UC Berkeley and study international relations.

Collin Chersi is an Eagle Scout, a member of the National Honor Society, the California Scholarship Federation, the National Society of High School Scholars, the Rose Bowl Aquatics Swim Team and is a charter member of the LCHS Robotics Team. Collin will attend Loyola Marymount University where he plans major in political science and communications.

Kaitlin Fuelling is a member of the National Honor Society, the California Scholarship Federation, is a Tournament of Roses Student Ambassador, a Girl Scout Gold Award recipient, and Track Team captain for LCHS Cross Country. Kaitlin will attend Santa Clara University where she will major in business.

Ellen Kim is a member of the California Scholarship Federation and is an AP Scholar with Distinction. She is a member of her church choir, the Spanish Honors Society, the Key Club, Varsity Cross Country/Track and the Korean Dance Academy. Ellen will attend UC Berkeley where she will major in international relations or English.

Deandra (DeDe) Mann is a National Merit Finalist, an AP Scholar, a Golden State Merit Seal Diploma Recipient, a member of the California Scholarship Federation, the National Honor Society, and is the recipient of the International Leadership Network Leader of Tomorrow Award and the Girl Scout Gold Award. She is active in the LCHS Marching Band, Concert Band, Band Council, Young Musicians Club, the French Club and was a Les Fleurettes debutante. Deandra will study history and European history at Duke University.

Sofia Portantino is a member of the National Honor Society, the California Scholarship Federation, the LCHS Marching Band, Jazz Band, the Band Council and the Young Musicians Club. She is the recipient of the Girl Scout Gold and Band Service Awards. Sofia will attend UC Santa Barbara where she will major in film production.

Caitlin Sarian is a member of the National Honor Society, the California Scholarship Federation, the National Society of High School Scholars, the LCHS French Club, Oxy Science Bridge, Pep Squad and the PTSA Christian Club. She is the recipient of the David Dreier Youth Volunteer of the Year Award and the 2008 Minerva Leadership Program honor, National Charity League awards and the Girl Scout Gold Award. Caitlin will attend Southern Methodist University where she will major in education.

Lily Vartanyan is an AP Scholar with Honors and the recipient of the Golden State Merit Seal Diploma and the Girl Scout Gold Award. She plays the piano and flute, is a member of the LCHS Marching and Concert Bands and has studied at the Lark Conservatory. Lily will attend UCLA where she will study biology/pre-med.

Evelyn Warner has done scientific research at USC and Caltech over the past two summers, tutors AP chemistry and AP calculus, has studied in Switzerland and is fluent in French. She is an award-winning photographer and has a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. This fall she will attend Columbia University where she will major in physics and biophysics.