ACADEMY MAGNET PROGRAM LEADS TO JOB AS LAPD OFFICER.

Byline: SIMONE SCHRAMM Community columnist

Officer Melody Perez of Mission Hills is proof that the Los Angeles Police Academy Magnet School Program creates the future of the LAPD as she became the first magnet graduate to enter the LAPD since the program started in 1996.

Two days after graduating from the Los Angeles Police Academy, she reported to her first shift as an LAPD officer at the Devonshire Division. One week after that, she spoke at the magnet's graduation to remind program cadets that they, too, can turn their aspirations of joining the police force into a reality.

``When I got to the academy, I remembered the techniques I had learned (in the magnet school program),'' said Perez.

She said that the Police Academy was difficult, but the preparedness she received from the program helped ease the stress.

The LAPD magnet this year awarded $25,000 in scholarships and aid to outstanding graduates, including $2,500 awards given to Nicholas Angel-gilliard and Richard Martinez.

The magnet also received $1,000 in Perez's honor to establish the L.A. Police Academy Magnet School Alumni Association.

Lindsay Frame of Woodland Hills and Michelle Tagle of Granada Hills won $400 scholarships from the San Fernando Valley Alumnae Panhellenic Association. The young women were recognized for their academic achievement, sorority involvement, campus and community service.

Julie Corcoran, a member of the Chatsworth division of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, won first place in the Literature & Drama - Poetry Division of the group's annual American Heritage and Conservation Committee Contest.

Her poem will be judged at the NSDAR National Continental Conference in Washington, D.C., in July.

The Simi Valley Branch of the National League of American Pen Women Inc. has chosen Susan Deutsch-Salva of Simi Valley to receive its Woman of Achievement Award.

The California State Association South also presented her with a certificate for her achievements as past secretary of the branch and her service to the Ranch Park and Recreation District and the Disabled American Veterans.

Twelve local students received $1,000 scholarships from the Burger King Scholarship program, based on grade-point average, financial need, work experience participation in extracurricular activities. They are: Anzhela Bagramyan of Tujunga, Cindy Fuentes of Van Nuys, Mayra Gonzalez of North Hills, Abel Hernandez of San Fernando, Antonio Lopez of Glendale, Michelle Ouaknine of Westlake Village, Regina Karla Rubio of Glendale, Adriana Salazar of North Hills, Allen Saucedo and Willy Sediq of Canoga Park, Jeffrey To of Chatsworth and Anna Villamor of Glendale.

Teacher Laura Hamlett of Eagle Rock Elementary School received a $5,000 grant from the Entertainment Industry Foundation for being a national finalist in the 2004 Barbie Arts Teacher of the Year Search. She was chosen based on an essay written by one of her students, 7-year-old Stewart Ramirez. During a ceremony last week, students performed a scene from ``Macbeth,'' which Hamlett adapted for them, and Ramirez read his essay.