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People: Four locals named candidates for Presidential Scholars

Four local seniors are among 291 California students named as candidates for becoming U.S. Presidential Scholars.

They are John (Jack) Beckwith and Mary Kenney of Menlo Park, both seniors at Menlo-Atherton High School; Andrew Lim of Atherton, who attends Crystal Springs Uplands School; and Samuel Trinkaus of Portola Valley, who attends New Summit Academy.

Approximately 3,000 high school candidates were selected nationally based on several factors: their exceptional performance on either the College Board SAT or the ACT Assessment, plus their essays, activities, school recommendations, and school transcripts.

Final selection of Scholars will be announced in May. Those chosen will be invited to Washington, D.C., for several days in June, where they will be honored at a recognition ceremony and take part in events with their elected representatives and other leading individuals in public life.

Honors for Laura Lauder

The Oshman Family Jewish Center honored Laura Lauder of Atherton for her leadership and philanthropy at the Rambam's Ladder Gala, held Feb. 11 at the center's home on the Taube Koret Campus for Jewish Life in Palo Alto.

Among her philanthropic priorities are the Jewish Community Endowment fund, the Socrates Society of the Aspen Institute, the Laura and Gary Lauder Philanthropic Fund and the Oshman Family Jewish Community Center.

Ms. Lauder was named one of "10 Women to Watch" in 2004 by Jewish Women Magazine. In 1999, she was awarded the San Francisco Bay Area Dinkelspiel Young Leadership Award.