ENCINO YOUNGSTER'S ART WINS ACCLAIM IN WASHINGTON.

Byline: DIANA PEYTON Community Columnist

An Encino 8-year-old's artwork was honored by the Treasury Department in Washington, D.C., Thursday when the boy took third place in the eighth annual U.S. Savings Bond Poster contest.

Aaron Yamagata won a $1,000 savings bond for his poster.

``The highlight of my trip was seeing `Star Wars' and meeting Sen. Barbara Boxer,'' said Aaron, a student at the Fine Arts and Music Academy in Valley Village.

He also visited the Oval Office and met the president's dog, Buddy.

Aaron's poster depicts a rainbow ending in a gold pot labeled ``21st century'' with the inscription ``Creating a new century of savings with U.S. Savings Bonds,'' over the background of an American flag.

The artwork will be displayed at the capital Children's Museum and then the Bureau of Engraving and Printing from August through September. Later, the posters will go on display at airports across the country.

Through the contest, Aaron learned a lot about bonds. ``Not only are they going to invest for themselves but in our country as well.''

Toluca Lake resident Stephen Cooley, head deputy district attorney for Los Angeles County's Welfare Fraud Division, is this year's California State University, Los Angeles, Outstanding Alumnus. A 1970 graduate with a bachelor's degree in social science, Cooley received his law degree from the University of Southern California Law Center in 1973.

Cooley volunteers for law enforcement charities, including Drug Abuse Resistance Education and Substance Abuse Narcotics Education. He also participates in law enforcement Explorer Scout programs and several police memorial funds. He was an LAPD reserve officer from 1972-1978.

At its 26th annual alumni awards gala last week, the university also honored Newhall resident Larry L. Adamson, the chief executive officer of the Midnight Mission, with its Award of Merit. He is a 1974 graduate of CSULA with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. His contribution of service to the university and the statewide alumni effort won him the CSU Alumni Volunteer of the Year in 1996. He is president-elect of the CSU Alumni Council and will serve as president in June.

Bernard Luskin, president and CEO of Global Learning Systems, was given the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the university's Charter School of Education. The Encino resident graduated with a bachelor's degree in business education in 1961. He received his master's in business in 1963 from California State University, Long Beach, and his doctorate in educational technology in 1970 at UCLA.

His most unique contribution to education was being the first person in the nation to place computers in a community college. He is also the author of ``Data Processing for Decision-Making.''

Jonathan C. Bird, a senior at Crespi High School in Encino, earned a $2,000 National Merit Scholarship from the not-for-profit National Merit Program.

He is among 265 California students receiving this state's portion of 2,400 scholarships offered across the country. The high school senior has been accepted to several colleges and universities.

The scholarships are underwritten by approximately 600 independent sponsor organizations and institutions.

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Photo

PHOTO Aaron Yamagata's poster blends stirring imagery of nature, patriotism and wealth.