April 15, 2004

Three Talented seniors awarded Bank of America scholarships

By Julie Davis Berry
Executive Editor

Three Almaden girls were recently selected as regional finalists in the 2004 Bank of America Achievement Awards. Each of the students was nominated by members of the faculty of their respective schools. The $2000 scholarships were awarded to Caitlyn Christie in the field of Fine Arts, Deena Shakir in the field of Applied Arts and Sarah Misherghi in the field of Liberal Arts. Not only have these students attained high scholastic achievement, they also are involved in school and community activities and have some type of work experience.

Started in 1948 for Los Angele area high schools, the Bank of America Achievement Awards have developed into one of the most comprehensive and highly respected student awards programs in California. The program begins each December when faculty committees select nearly 15,000 high school senior at nearly 1,200 public and private schools throughout California. Plaques of Achievement are awarded to 3,200 students and out of those 3,200 honorees 320 are selected to compete in 10 regional competitions.

Caitlyn Christie is an honor student and a National Merit Commended Scholar at Valley Christian High School. When she graduates this June she intends to attend UCLA, UC Irvine or UOP to study music. She has been a member of the San Jose Youth Symphony for the past six years and a member of Valley Christian's band all through her high school years. Her principal instrument is the rather challenging oboe. She has also worked as a counselor at a Christian Youth Camp and volunteered at a local shelter. She lives with her parents Eric and Barb Christie in Almaden Valley.

Sarah Misherghi will serve as the valedictorian for the senior class at Pioneer High School this June. She sports a cumulative G.P.A. of 4.0 and has been active as the team captain of the Mock Trial Team, Mathematics Engineering Science Acheivement president, Key Club secretary as well as many other Pioneer endeavors. She will attend UC Berkeley in the fall on a prestigious Regents and Chancellors Scholarship to study genetics with an interest in law. She lives in Almaden Valley with her parents Shakib and Raja Misherghi.

Deena Shakir is a senior at Leland who has been accepted to both Harvard and Stanford. She says she's leaning toward studying law. Deena was recently named one of two delegates representing California in the 42 nd annual William Randolph Hearst Foundation's United States Senate Youth Program. Students chosen for this honor are among the top 1 percent of the state academically. Deena also participated as secretary-elect for the New American High School Transformation Board. She lives in Almaden Valley with her parents Sood and Kamila Shakir.