AUTO CLUB'S TALKING CAR OFFERS TRAFFIC SAFETY TIPS FOR STUDENTS.

Byline: SIMON SCHRAMM Community columnist

In an ongoing effort to reduce childhood injuries and deaths from automobiles, kids at Burton Street Elementary School learned about traffic safety the fun way with Otto the Auto, the Automobile Club of Southern California's talking car that communicates with kids on their level.

The three-foot-tall interactive car uses songs, blinking headlights and a kid-friendly presentation to instill good traffic habits in young children.

``The show was presented in a fun way that they understood, and they loved it,'' said Oliver H. Ramirez, the assistant principal at Burton. ``I would ask the robot these questions ... and the robot would answer them.''

Otto also is bilingual, answering questions in English and Spanish.

``Otto is not like your mom or dad, he is your friend,'' said Marie Montgomery, spokeswoman for the Auto Club. ``It might be different and less preachy than a grown-up.''

Otto the Auto is one of several traffic safety education programs offered by the Auto Club. To schedule a free Otto presentation, elementary schools can call the Auto Club at [phone].

Students, parents and teachers can also visit Otto's Web site at www.aaa-calif.com/otto.

Nobel Middle School in Northridge received $5,000 from the National Champions of Active Learning Program through the J.P. Morgan Case Foundation. The money will support a variety of hands-on student activities designed to improve academic performance.

Laura Ying Moede, a valedictorian of Los Angeles Lutheran Senior High School in Sylmar, received a $25,000 scholarship from California State University, Long Beach, as part of its President's Scholars Program.

The scholarship will cover student fees, books and campus housing for four years.

Orly Zelta of Sherman Oaks was among six women to receive cash awards from a longtime Santa Barbara women's club designed to honor outstanding graduates from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She received $8,000 for her work in communications and political science.

The Santa Barbara City Club was established in the 1920s by women who wanted to become part of the political process. The club closed in 1978, sold its property and gave its income to UCSB under the condition that the interest accrued must be rewarded to women who best exemplify the club's ideals. The awards can be spent in any way the graduates wish.

Columbia University recently awarded more than 2,500 bachelor's degrees for its 248th academic year. Thirteen of those students came from local areas.

The recipients are:

Kayla Birns of Tarzana;, Jacob Brauner of Woodland Hills; Christopher Fidyk and Christine Harada, both of Thousand Oaks; Amy Kim and Noah Strote, both of Calabasas; Kristin Liu, Marissa Miyazaki and Corrine Sheth, all of Northridge; Alex Perez of Saugus; Michael Pomeroy of Santa Clarita; Avidan Ross of Tarzana; and Jane Yang of West Hills.

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Burton Street Elementary students laugh while learning traffic safety tips from Otto the Auto, a bilingual talking car that communicates with kids on their level.

Gus Ruelas/Staff Photographer