VALLEY RESIDENTS LAUDED FOR EFFORTS.

Byline: DIANA PEYTON Community columnist

Generous San Fernando Valley residents have received Prudential Community Champion awards for excellence in volunteer commitment, leadership and service to the community, with grants given to the agencies they serve.

``Seniors need a helping hand from the younger people,'' said Ruth E. Smith, 75, a volunteer case manager at the Organization for the Needs of Elderly, an affiliate of the Valley Senior Services and Resources Center.

The Reseda resident has worked at ONE for 16 years, averaging 60 hours a month. Her Shining Star Award brings a $1,000 grant to the group.

Smith said her volunteer job is fulfilling, but that some decisions - such as telling a family it's time to put a loved one into an assisted-living center - are difficult.

``You have to tell yourself that you're going to do the very best you can, until you realize there is nothing more you can do,'' she said.

Sherman Oaks resident Mona Marian Bielby Enos, volunteers 45 hours a month at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, which will receive $1,000 for her Shining Star Award.

She is the second vice president on the executive board of the guild.

``I get a lot more out of it than what I give ... It's the satisfaction of doing something worthwhile,'' she said.

Carmen A. Schiavoni, of Tarzana, also a Shining Star recipient, won a $1,000 grant and works 80 hours a month at ONE.

Charles Dolnick, a Woodland Hills resident, won a $250 grant and Rising Star Award for giving 20 hours a month to the Marina B'nai B'rith.

Several local students have been selected as semifinalists in the San Fernando Valley and Ventura 2002 Music Center Spotlight Awards. They are:

Ashley Feinsinger from Agoura Hills, in nonclassical dance (tap); Sharon Youngblood, of Arleta, nonclassical voice; Shannon Maynor, of Chatsworth, classical dance; and Tyler Ruebensaal of Chatsworth, nonclassical voice.

In nonclassical dance, Glendale residents Jennifer Kwang, (Korean Folk) and Ovsanna Mkhchian (Armenian Folk) were chosen.

From Northridge, Lisa Hendrickson and Amy Recinos have been selected in classical voice, (soprano) and Joey Dosik, for jazz instrumental (alto saxophone).

Zachary Wilder of Sherman Oaks was chosen in classical voice (tenor), and Yevgeniy Milyavskiy of Tarzana was named for classical instrument (piano).

From Woodland Hills, Amanda Hoffman was picked in nonclassical dance (jazz) and Hila Schoffman in classical dance.

Other semifinalists are: Sharon Park, of Castaic, classical instrumental (violin); Megan Kirk, of Newhall, nonclassical dance (Irish Step); Alison Friedman, of Newbury Park, nonclassical voice; Michal Humer, of Oak Park; classical dance; Brittany Petersen, of Somis, classical dance; and Victor Gould, of Simi Valley, jazz instrumental (piano).

Finally, Jessica Salcido, of Thousand Oaks, was honored in classical dance; and Lisa Asari, of Westlake Village, in nonclassical dance (lyrical).

Local students have been recognized for their best work and four teachers will be presenters at an upcoming conference.

Sterling Kavitky, who attends Hale Middle School in Woodland Hills, is the regional winner of the 2001-2002 Imagine This story-writing contest, sponsored by the California Foundation for Agriculture in the classroom. He will now compete at the state level.

Oak Park High School student Kelly Smith, has been chosen to attend the National Youth Leaders Conference Feb. 12-17 in Washington, D.C.

And, four Hale Middle School teachers will be presenters at the California League of Middle School Conference, March 8-10 in San Francisco. They are: Lauren Blackmon, Angela Gottschall, Barbara Herman and Marilyn Spatz.

The Burger King restaurant at 3900 San Fernando Road, owned by Larry Cimmarusti, a Glendale resident, made a $1,000 donation to the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund.