Education in brief

Costa Mesa resident Lauren Melissa Thompson, 17, was selected as a

semifinalist in the jazz/modern dance category of the Spotlight Awards

program of the Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles County.

Thompson, a senior at Orange County High School of the Arts, is now

competing to become a finalist.

The awards have six performance categories: ballet, jazz/modern dance,

classical voice, nonclassical voice, classical instrumental music and

jazz instrumental music. There are 67 semifinalists in the six categories

-- more than 800 teen performers participated in the competition.

Two finalists will be selected from each category. The finalists will

perform at a gala competition April 17 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

of the Performing Arts Center. The winners and runners-up will receive

scholarships.