Our Times
May 11, 2000
Two Concord High students receive "service scholarships"
Two students from Concord High School in Santa Monica were each recently awarded a $1,000 President's Student Service Scholarship for outstanding efforts in community service.
President Clinton announced the awards for Alexander Davis and Lara Metzger, both 16, saluting their participation this year in the state Youth and Government Program. The scholarships were funded equally by the Corp. of National Service and their school.
During a retreat time at Camp Roberts, near Paso Robles, the two juniors became acquainted with the program's parliamentary procedure, then headed to Sacramento for a week to take part in the model court and model Legislature activities.
Alexander took the role of an appellate court attorney. He argued a case concerning civil rights for transsexuals before Youth and Government "justices" in a state courtroom.
"I like learning about government," Alexander said. "And being an attorney was really fun for me."
Lara, who has participated in Youth and Government for the last two years, served on the National Issues Commission and wrote a sample law on physician-assisted suicide.
For Lara, who dreams of becoming a fashion designer, the program has been an informative experience, which she plans to build on in the future.
"I want to know what's going on with everything," she said. "I want to stand by what I'm saying."
The students also met with Gov. Gray Davis and discussed issues with his cabinet members.
- Jeff Adler, Our Times