LADWP Science Bowl XI Results: North Hollywood High School Captures Sixth Consecutive Regional Title; North Hollywood Wins in Double Overtime Against Venice High School

Business Wire, Feb 23, 2003

News Editors/Education Writers

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 23, 2003

In a thrilling double overtime match, pitting two former national title holders, North Hollywood High School won first place in the 2003 LADWP Science Bowl XI by a score of 116 to 108 against rival Venice High School today at the utility's downtown headquarters. This marked North Hollywood's sixth consecutive regional title. Venice had won four regional titles and two national championships.

The five-member North Hollywood team will receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. to represent the city of Los Angeles at the U.S. Department of Energy's National Science Bowl to be held May 1-5.

The North Hollywood team will attempt to keep the LADWP Science Bowl record of success at the national level intact. Last year the team placed sixth following capture of the national title in 2001 and two-second place finishes in prior years. Venice High School won back-to-back national titles in 1996 and 1997 following Van Nuys success in capturing the first place trophy in 1995.

"I congratulate all the high school scholars that participated in the LADWP Science Bowl this year. I am very proud of the winning team from North Hollywood High School that will represent the city at the National Science Bowl in Washington, D.C. in May. Because of our local regional championship teams' past successes at the National Science Bowl, North Hollywood High School has to be considered a true contender for the national title. The team's accomplishment in this regional competition helps to showcase the academic success of our local students and serves as a model for other young people in our city to follow," said Mayor Jim Hahn.

"We are extremely proud of the team from North Hollywood High School that demonstrated not only vast knowledge of math, science and technology concepts but also tremendous teamwork. All 42 participating teams are to be commended for their outstanding preparation," said Heidi Kawahara, general chair of the LADWP Science Bowl Steering Committee.

The competition at the National Science Bowl is expected to be tough. A total of 66 regional finalists are expected from 40 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This year, 11,000 students will participate in regional competitions.

Each North Hollywood team member receives the Hitachi Scholarship of $1000. The school will receive the LADWP prize of $2000 for science instructional materials or equipment and a trophy. The team will also be honored at Dodger Stadium during a pre-game ceremony in the spring.

Team members from Venice High School that placed second will receive the LADWP $1000 U.S. Savings Bonds Scholarship and an opportunity to participate in a three day inspection visit to the Owens Valley-Mono Basin, the main source of the city water supply. The school will also receive the LADWP prize of $1750 for science materials and a trophy.

AGBU Demirdjian High School placed third. The school will receive $1500 in science materials or equipment from LADWP and a trophy. Team members will receive a $300 gift card for Office Depot purchases. Fourth place team Van Nuys High School received the LADWP prize of $1250 for science materials and a trophy. Team members also received a $200 gift card. Team members from these two schools will also have an opportunity to participate in the Owens Valley-Mono Basin inspection visit. Team members from both schools will also receive VIP passes to the Los Angeles County of Museum of Art courtesy of KCET.

North Hollywood High School team members include Ed Marti, Zahra Yazdani, Nicholas Zheng, Stephen Yao and Alberta Yen. The coach is Len Soloff.

Team members of Venice High School include Alex Gord, Sarah Dickinson, Sam Jacoby, Olivia Ying and Jonah Rosenthal. The coach is Richard Erdman.

AGBU team members are Alex Babayan, Shat Hovsepian, Caroline Partamian, Nicholas Vartanian and Garen Polatoglu. The coach is Yolanda Ohanesyan.

Van Nuys High School team members are Henry Yang, John Byun, Jordan Wengrod, Victor Meyerson and Roman Blavier. Art Alshiller is the coach.

In addition to the regular buzzer competition, the special Franklin Lu Hands-on Competition was held. The competition is named for Franklin Lu, an electrical engineer and devoted Science Bowl Volunteer, who passed away suddenly in Nov. 2001. This year the competition involved building a device to protect an egg that could be launched. Teams received scores based on accuracy of the device and its ability to protect the egg.

The first place recipient of the Franklin Lu trophy was the team from San Pedro High School. Team members Kim Miller, Jeremy Alsup, Jennifer Pochue, Windell Mollenido and Frank Arnold each received a $250 Office Depot gift card. In addition team members received VIP passes to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, courtesy of KCET.

Second place was presented to Granada Hills High School. Team members each received at $200 gift card donated by Office Depot.