Independent Study Program

The news crews, civilian volunteers and aid workers have slowly departed from the devastated areas of Southeast Asia, where throngs of people continue to live without means after December's tsunami. Michael Simonoff and Phillip Bailey have returned from their trips, as well. But the two college friends said they are determined to stay active in relief work at a time when disaster victims need them the most. "There are so many people still without housing," said Simonoff, 21, a Costa Mesa High School graduate.

GLENDALE ? Five students who overcame adversity to excel in school were honored Tuesday night and given and a leg up on the next segment of their journeys. The five each received a $200 scholarship from the Glendale Scholarship Endowment Tuesday at the Glendale Unified School District board of education awards presentation. In order to qualify for the scholarship, students were required to commit to attending a two- or four-year college, demonstrate financial need and describe how they overcame obstacles.

As Ernestine Moore, the district director for State Sen. Jack Scott, toured Daily High School and other Glendale Unified School District schools on Thursday, she was impressed by the extent to which the school district caters to the needs of specific groups of students. She visited AdvancePath Academy, a program for students who are in danger of dropping out of high school, and Verdugo Academy, an independent study program for students who can’t attend high school during traditional daytime hours.