ABILITY TO OVERCOME.

Byline: EMILY GRILLY Special to the Valley News

Serenity Pelayo is a typical college-bound teenager -- worried, stressed and excited about the future. But she has overcome one obstacle most American teenagers haven't -- she's a foster youth and has been one for more than 10 years.

When she was 7, foster care officials removed her from her home because of an undisclosed family conflict. For about two years, she was moved from one family member to another until she finally reached her aunt, who provided a stable home.

``She is definitely my role model,'' Serenity said.

Serenity recently graduated from Taft High School in Woodland Hills. During her senior year, she worked part time to raise money for college. She was also captain of the cross country and track teams, volunteered at a local hospital and still managed to maintain good grade. In 2004, she received the Scholar Athlete award.

``I was always stressed out, but I just took everything day by day,'' she said.

This fall, she plans to attend San Francisco State University, where she expects to major in biology in hopes of becoming a doctor. She has wanted to be a physician since she began volunteering and working with children with disabilities.

Recently she received a college scholarship from United Friends of the Children, an organization that provides financial assistance to foster youths in the Los Angeles area so they can attend a four-year college.

Friends of the Children has been providing financial aid to college- bound foster youths since it was established in 1979.

Monica Bomkamp Enia, director of education for the group,said the organization is ``a problem-solver'' and offers all different kinds of support and advice to students.

Those who apply must submit an application, essay, school transcripts and recommendation. They must be a part of the L.A. County foster-care system, plan to go to a four-year college and have at least a 3.0 grade- point average.

Friends of the Children accepts 25 students annually and gives them $3,000 every year for college. In return, the students must remain enrolled in college at least half-time.