ALLEN AWARDS TO HAIL SCHOOLS, LOCAL STUDENTS VALLEY'S ACHIEVERS WILL GET RECOGNITION FOR BRAIN POWER.

Byline: Lisa Mascaro Staff Writer

From teens building robots to those excelling at more traditional academic pursuits, the Valley's students shined on the national stage this year and their brightness will be honored tonight back home.

Champs of the national Science Bowl, national Academic Decathlon and a national robotics competition, along with Los Angeles Unified's only national Blue Ribbon school this year and the high school with more National Merit Scholars than any other can be found at San Fernando Valley campuses.

Tonight, the schools - Chatsworth, El Camino Real, North Hollywood and Van Nuys high schools, and Welby Way Elementary School in Canoga Park - will receive the first Steve Allen Excellence in Education Awards.

Named after entertainer and longtime Valley resident and education supporter Steve Allen, the awards will be given during ceremonies at the Autry Museum of Western Heritage in Griffith Park.

``We have some significant schools out here that are making big strides,'' said Kenn Phillips, director of education and work force for the Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley. ``Why don't we talk about the things that are going really well?''

Those winning for 2001 are:

--Chatsworth High - The robotics team, the first in California to win the FIRST National Robotics Championship top award.

--El Camino Real High - The Academic Decathlon team won its second national title.

--North Hollywood High - The Science Bowl team won the national championship.

--Van Nuys High - The campus had 19 National Merit Scholars, more than any high school in the nation, organizers said.

--Welby Way Elementary School - The campus was named a National Blue Ribbon School, the only Los Angeles Unified School District campus this year to win the honor, organizers said.

Chatsworth High said the robotics win - beating hundreds of teams, in part for its mentoring program - couldn't have been done without the metal shops, engineers and others who helped.

``There's a real sense of pride I think because it is so much part of the Chatsworth community with everybody involved,'' said Assistant Principal Beverly Bushner. ``At the same time I think it gives kids a sense of pride that they're at a school that's achieved recognition.''

Likewise North Hollywood Assistant Principal Carlos Martinez said the honor points to the success of the students as well as the teachers.

``It's long overdue,'' Martinez said. ``Whether it's academics or athletics ... we all take good pride.''