SHOWING WHAT THEY'VE GOT TEENS ON STAR SEARCH.

Byline: KAREN MAESHIRO Staff Writer

PALMDALE -- Twenty-seven Highland High School students are auditioning local talent and hunting for a celebrity headliner act for a benefit concert that will raise scholarship money for students in high school vocational training programs.

With financial help from a local car dealership, where the father of one student works, the group has booked a hall at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds Nov. 11 for the ``Dollars for Scholars Benefit Concert.'' The organizers' goal is to raise $24,000.

Highland senior William Bishop said he got the idea for the concert after attending a Regional Occupational Program scholarship event at the end of last school year.

``These were bright kids attending four-year universities. I sat there and watched them get $1,500 checks. But they are going to a four-year university and only getting $1,500. That covers a class and a book,'' Bishop said.

``The next day I sat down and asked how can we increase scholarship funds and said let's have a concert with famous celebrity guests,'' Bishop said.

The students are in an ROP project management class and are putting on the concert as part of their senior project, a graduation requirement.

The concert will take place from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Nov. 11 at the J.P. Eliopulos Pavilion. Tickets bought in advance cost $20, at the door, $25.

``I think it's excellent. It's nothing for themselves. It's the first time it's being done. It's a project for students being run by students,'' said Daphene Cowan, the project management class teacher.

The students had hoped to sign Pretty Ricky, a hip hop ensemble, to perform, but the group at the last minute said they had to go to Japan to film a music video.

So the students are seeking a local celebrity act who can help out or donate their time. For more information, call Cowan's class at [phone], ext. 246.

``We are looking for celebrity talent. This is kids trying to further their education,'' Bishop said.

In the meantime, the students have been auditioning student rock bands, dancers and singers to perform at the concert.

The students made a Power Point presentation to Antelope Valley Nissan Superstore in Palmdale, where Bishop's father is service manager, and asked the car dealership to sponsor the event.

``We talked about the benefits for them and us, helping us further our education, and putting their name and ROP's name out,'' Bishop said.

The dealership agreed and is contributing more than $7,000 to sponsor the concert, including getting the venue, providing lighting and helping with advertising.

``It was a couple of things. One was it's our own community, and the ROP class did a great job in doing the presentation,'' said Keith Turner, Antelope Valley Nissan's general sales manager.

Senior Leah Lippincott, who is manager of advertising and marketing for the concert, said the students this year decided to have a collaborative senior project.

The ROP project management class plans events at Highland such as college information night and other school events.

``We also learn about business and entrepreneurship and running your own business,'' Lippincott said.

karen.maeshiro(at)dailynews.com

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4 photos

Photo:

(1 -- 3 -- color) Shemar Monroe, above, auditions at Highland High School for a fundraising concert. Right top, sisters Melody, Belinda and Marily Guevara, from left, also try out. Right bottom, Nick Wittelsbach ``beat boxes.''

(4) The band Blinded by Tragedy auditions at Highland High School for a Nov. 11 fundraising concert.

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer