FAVORITE SONS & DAUGHTERS

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View welcomes announcements of recent achievements of Favorite Sons & Daughters who have graduated from local high schools. Achievements may run the gamut from earning a college degree to successfully climbing Mount Everest. Please include student's name, age, area high school attended and graduation year, parents' names and city of residence. Send announcements and photos by mail to: Lynn Benson, View, P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125-0070; by fax to 477-3852; or by e-mail, viewcalendars@viewnews.com.

Tommy Bell, a former graduate of Bishop Gorman High School, and Monty Lapica, a former graduate of Bonanza High School, have won 23 awards from different film festivals in the United States, Canada and Italy for their independent film "Self-Medicated," which premiered and won an official selection award at last year's CineVegas.

Bell produced and Lapica directed the film based on Lapica's real-life experiences following the death of his father and his subsequent placement into an abusive juvenile rehabilitation program.

Christopher Budesa, 17, graduated from Mojave High School on June 14 with an advanced diploma with high honors and a 4.1 grade point average.

Budesa also received a certificate of completion from the Area Technical Trade Center for completing two years of electronics with a 4.0 GPA.

Budesa accomplished his achievements despite being diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, or high-functioning autism, in the fourth grade. With the help of 1-on-1 aides provided to him by the Clark County School District and many great teachers, he was able to excel in school.

Budesa is the son of Richard and Elaine Budesa of Las Vegas.

The Galleria at Sunset awarded four $1,000 scholarships to area students at a ceremony held April 19 at the mall.

Scholarships were awarded based on academics, community involvement, financial need and an essay. Each recipient also honored a teacher who helped make a difference in their life. Teachers received a plaque.

Scholarship winners included: Shipra De, 18, Green Valley High School and teacher Donna Potter; Elizabeth Fravel, 18, Basic High School and instructor Laura Bowers; Gregory Simon, 17, Silverado High School and teacher Jose Loya; and Tanner Thetford, 17, Foothill High School and instructor Camille Knopp.