Local students win achievement awards

Students from area high schools distinguished themselves in Bank of America’s 2003 Achievement Awards competition.

The competition process began last January when about 15,000 high school seniors were selected as outstanding students. Eventually, 320 finalists were selected to compete in 10 regional final Achievement Awards events held throughout the state.

Among the top finishers in the regional finals event for North Counties high school seniors were the following.

Whitney Kirk of Westlake High School was a first-place winner in the Liberal Arts category, earning a $2,000 prize.

Taking second place honors also in the Liberal Arts category and earning a $1,500 prize was Igor Tregub of Oak Park High School.

Named a finalist in the Science & Math category and earning a $500 prize was Chalmers Wang, also of Westlake High School. Viewpoint School student Ara Kardashian also was a finalist in the same category and received a $500 award.