COMMUNITY NEWS GRANADA HILLS AYSO VOLUNTEER ATTAINS FAME.

Joseph Karbus of Granada Hills has been elected to the Hall of Fame of the American Youth Soccer Organization.

His election, according to a letter from Fred Gregory, vice president of the AYSO's national board of directors, recognizes Karbus' contributions as a volunteer to AYSO, especially his organization of the first AYSO girls soccer division in Granada Hills and his introduction of the female component to AYSO in 1971.

The organization applauded Karbus' tenacity in trying to involve girls in the program and noted that today, 45 percent of the AYSO is female.

``Would soccer for girls have had such a solid start-up and continued success as it did ... without Mr. Karbus? Probably so, somewhere along the years ... Were it not for his foresight and hard work, would we still be talking about it rather than doing it?'' asks past AYSO national President Rick Ricklefs.

Karbus' contributions will be recognized at the AYSO's general meeting in Hawaii on May 27 and at an induction ceremony at the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta, N.Y., in August.

Lauryn Woodruf of Granada Hills will join 200 middle school students from throughout the nation this week at the Junior National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C.

The conference, with its theme of The Legacy of American Leadership, aims at introducing young people to the tradition of leadership in American history while helping them develop their own leadership skills.

Students take part in educational activities and presentations led by people in high-profile positions as well as by young leaders in the nation's communities.

Participants also meet elected officials and key congressional staff members as well as visit historic monuments, including Colonial Williamsburg.

A fundraising raffle by the Valley Committee Affiliate of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association raised $20,000 - money that will enable Los Angeles children to attend concert performances at the Walt Disney Concert Hall during the coming school year.

More than 1,000 people took part in the raffle of a cruise to Alaska by the group, whose main function is to raise funds for education programs of the Philharmonic.

Ann Hawley was the raffle winner.

Beth Hillel Day School in Valley Village has received two grants totaling $30,000 to help build quality and enrollment.

A $20,000 grant from the Boston-based Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education will allow the school to work with a coach from the group.

A $10,000 grant from the Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater Los Angeles will allow the school to expand its Hebrew language immersion program.

Beth Hillel Day School, founded in 1994, is the east San Fernando Valley's oldest Reform day school.