La Reina student receives award

Ashley Pandolfi, a senior at La Reina High School, has been awarded this year’s Ventura County Charlotte Mousel Scholarship, a first-place award of $1,000, by the Ventura County Federation of Republican Women.

"She is an outstanding young woman who has demonstrated leadership skills and a compassion for her community," said Shirley Cobb, president of Thousand Oaks Republican Women Federated.

The scholarship is awarded to graduating high school seniors who demonstrate their ability to think constructively on matters affecting the government, as well as their community involvement and an essay about the U.S. Constitution.

Pandolfi served as captain for two years on La Reina High School’s championship Mock Trial team. She has been on its newspaper staff for four years, and was co-editor-in-chief the current school year. Nominated to the National Honor Society and the Quill and Scroll Society, Pandolfi was the school’s 2002/2003 delegate to the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Conference.

Pandolfi plans to attend Columbia University’s Barnard College in the fall. Her community volunteer activities include the Special Olympics, campaigning for District Attorney Gregory Totten, and involvement with Simi Valley Republican Women Federated.