Finalists for Fernando Award to Be Named

Five people from a pool of 15 San Fernando Valley residents who have served their communities will be announced Friday as finalists for the annual Fernando Award.

The announcement will be made during a luncheon at the Sheraton Universal Hotel in Universal City. The 39th annual award will be presented at a November dinner in Warner Center.

Nancy Schmidt, vice president and manager of the Sherman Oaks branch of American Pacific State Bank, won the honor last year. It carries no cash prize, but winners receive a trophy and their names are inscribed at the Van Nuys Civic Center.

Beginning what officials hope will become an annual tradition, the current winner will award a scholarship to a local student at the finalists’ luncheon. The first recipient of the $1,000 Volunteerism Scholarship Award is Jennifer Schlesinger, who graduated from North Hollywood High last year and now attends UC Berkeley.

A committee of Fernando Award board members, past award winners, benefactors and chamber of commerce representatives will review the qualifications of all 15 nominees Friday before selecting the finalists.

For information and ticket details about the luncheon or Nov. 7 dinner, call (213) 229-5006.