A.V. STUDENTS GET HONORS.

Byline: Joanne Crawford Education

Four Lancaster High School students have been named Commended Students in the 1999 National Merit Scholarship program.

Students honored are Julia Kwan, Myra Michail, Kim Smit and Keri Smith, assistant principal Gil Lara said.

The four placed among the top 5 percent of more than 1 million students who entered the 1999 Merit Program by taking the 1997 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

They were among 34,500 Commended Students throughout the nation being honored for their academic promise.

The recognition of academically talented students and the key role that schools play in their development is essential to the pursuit of educational excellence in our nation, Merit Program officials said.

LANCASTER- The Antelope Valley High School Dance Team Parent Booster Club will sponsor a Mardi Gras Carnival on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds, 155 E. Ave. I.

The carnival will run from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

There is no admission charge. There will be a charge for each ride, however, but participants can save money by taking advantage of a package deal for tickets, said Bobbi Wallace, club vice president and publicity director.

``Admission is free, but don't get stuck buying individual tickets for each ride,'' Wallace said. ``Save money and buy your presale ride bracelet for only $11. There will be food, fun, games and more than 20 rides and attractions. Game booths are operated by local school clubs and organizations, and all profits go to the respective clubs and organizations.''

The presale ride bracelets can be purchased through Friday from Dance Magic at 10th Street West and Lancaster Boulevard, Extensions Performing Arts Academy at 30th Street West and Avenue L, Signatures Salon at 20th Street West and Avenue J, Subway sandwiches at 30th Street West and Avenue P, Velvet Basket at 20th Street East and Avenue J, and Yogurt Oasis at Challenger Way and Avenue J.

School organizations to benefit from the carnival are the Highland High School cheerleading and basketball teams, the New Vista Middle School Journalism Club, Mesa Junior High cheerleaders, Antelope Valley and Palmdale high school cheerleaders, and New Vista, Parkview and Antelope Valley high school dance teams.

LANCASTER- The Antelope Valley College Theatre Department will hold auditions for ``Baby with the Bathwater'' March 12 from 7 to 11 p.m. and March 13 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Blackbox Theatre 300 at the campus, 3041 W. Ave. K.

``The director is searching for two men and three women ages 20 and up to fulfill the roles of the play,'' director Rick Roemer said. ``Audition participants will present a comic monologue or prepared comic story. Scripts are on reserve in the AVC library.''

``Baby with the Bathwater'' by Christopher Durang targets parenthood and is a biting and satirical comedy in which the playwright skillfully and savagely skewers the subject matter with gleeful wit and outrageous humor, Roemer said.

Callbacks will be held March 14 at 2 p.m., he said.

Performances for ``Baby with the Bathwater'' will be held May 21 through May 23 at the Blackbox Theatre 300.

All tickets for the play are $5 each, Roemer said.

For more information, call [phone].