CHILDREN'S CENTER VOLUNTEER TO GO DOWN UNDER.

Byline: Karen Thacker Community Columnist

Playing with the kids at the Children's Center of Antelope Valley, Adria Deliberto wanted to gain experience with youngsters en route to her goal of becoming a pediatrician.

Little did she expect it would also take her to Australia.

Deliberto, 19, is one of 25 Southern California teens whose outstanding volunteer work receive special recognition from Qantas Airways. The Quartz Hill High School graduate, now a student at California State University, Northridge, will get a free flight and three-day tour of Sydney complete with meals and hotel stay, courtesy of the Australian airline.

``I was like, Australia - wow!'' Deliberto said. ``I was definitely surprised.''

Two years ago, Deliberto had been volunteering at the Antelope Valley Hospital when a friend suggested she would be ideal for the Children's Center. She began watching the siblings of children brought in for counseling one night a week.

``Working with abused children, Adria is an exceptional volunteer,'' wrote the center's volunteer coordinator, Pam Goertz, in nominating Deliberto for the honor. ``She's staunchly loyal and demonstrates dynamic leadership qualities supervising children and teens.''

Now in her second year at CSUN, Deliberto is studying biology with plans to be a pediatrician. A Lancaster resident for six years, she is the daughter of Jay Deliberto, a general contractor, and Beth Deliberto, who works in the California state prison system in Los Angeles County.

Adria Deliberto came home this summer to Lancaster to continue her volunteer work at the Children's Center.

``I think it's my personality,'' she said of her desire to work with children. ``I really enjoy kids and being fun and humorous and not really caring what people think about you - you can do that with kids. And I want to help.''

The 25 young people who will leave for Sydney today were chosen from nominations coming from the 300-plus United Way of Greater Los Angeles agencies.

They'll arrive in the evening, Australia time, to check in. The first day is a Sydney Harbor luncheon cruise, followed by a meeting with YWCA members in Australia for an exchange of ideas with other young people, then dinner.

The second day includes a walking tour of ``The Rocks,'' the oldest settlement in Sydney, a visit to Darling Harbor, the Sydney Aquarium and a walk to the National Aboriginal Center with performances by native Australians.

The third day allows time for shopping and a visit to a koala park.

``I wanted to find a group that never gets the opportunity to get recognized,'' said Peter McLaughlin, Qantas vice president of marketing.

This is the first such offer Qantas, a Sydney-based company, has made outside Australia.

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PHOTO (Color) Adria Deliberto, 19, has won a trip to Australia for her work with abused children.

Michael Owen Baker/Daily News