UPDATE: Apsara Perera Named 'Youth of the Year,' Sheri Osborne honored as 'Citizen of the Year'

Apsara Perera was named "Youth of the Year," and Sheri Osborne was named "Citizen of the Year" Friday at the 46th Annual awards dinner.

Congressman Brad Sherman was there to assist in the presentation of award medals and certificates.

Perera, a Chatsworth High School senior, volunteers with the Chatsworth Library, Relay for Life, the Chatsworth Historical Society's Duchess Tea, and delivers holiday presents to patients at Northridge Hospital.

Among her many other activities, she also assists the teaching staff at Chatsworth Park Elementary School and for the past three years organized a Teens for Jeans drive which provided more than 1,500 jeans for homeless teens.

She was described by a Chatsworth High educator as a "special young lady, who exudes a strong character and an ambitious drive ... Her selfless outlook on life, outgoing personality, and generous heart are hard to find in anyone, let alone a young lady in high school."

"Citizen of the Year" Sheri Osborne was honored for her 13 years as a volunteer at Chatsworth High School, and her extensive service as a PTSA officer and Booster Club member which awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships to graduating seniors.

She also represented the school on LAUSD committees and was spokesperson for all Valley school children at LAUSD meetings.

She was not available to attend the ceremony, so her her award was accepted by Marsha Minassian, formerly of Lawrence Middle School.

The Coordinating Council describes itself as "a non-profit group of representatives from clubs, organizations, agencies, schools and religious bodies, plus interested private citizens from the Chatsworth area."

The primary purpose of the Coordinating Council "is to help produce a better community in which to live."

In addition to coordinating a community events calendar and hosting a monthly speakers program, the Council provides $500 scholarships to "B" students graduating from Chatsworth High School. This year's scholarship winners are: Andy Li, Liza Zhov, Kevin On and Colin Chen.

Other nominees for "Youth of the Year" were: Manu Dwivedi, nominated by the Chatsworth Library; and Riley Gantt, nominated by Sierra Canyon School.

Teena Takata was nominated for "Citizen of the Year" by the Santa Susana Mountain Park Association.

Bob Dager received the Lifetime Service Award.

Receiving certificates honoring their volunteer service were: Dorothy Allison of the Chatsworth Neighborhood Council, Glenn Bailey of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Santa Susana Mountains, Vicki Briskman of the Chatsworth/Porter Ranch Chamber of Commerce, Annette Campbell of the Chatsworth Historical Society, Michelle DeGaetano of the Chatsworth Community Coordinating Council, Dr. Elizabeth Harris of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Santa Susana Mountains, Pam Hoyt of the Chatsworth Junior Baseball League, Jason Merritt of the Chatsworth Junior Baseball League, Randy Mineo of the Chatsworth Historical Society and Sharon Saltman of the Chatsworth Junior Baseball League.

New officers were installed by Fire Capt. Paul Nelson. They are: Bea Berman and Jelena Csanyi, co-president; Diana Cass, 1st vice president; Linda Ross, 2nd vice president; Linda van der Valk, treasurer; Donee Chabot and Julie Stranges, recording secretaries; Bob Dager, corresponding secretary; Diana Dixon-Davis, historian; Mary Kaufman, calendar; Jo Anne Inouye, hospitality; and Michele DeGaetano and Irene Nalbandian, members at large.

The Coordinating Council wrapped up the evening with a live scholarship fundraising auction of a dinner for four at Fire Station 96 which was won by Rusty and Pam Hoyt with a bid of $425, and distribution of prize baskets to winners of the evening's raffle.