Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles will begin a monthlong ``Mentor in the New Millennium'' campaign today to encourage community members to share their lives with a child through mentoring.

One member of the program, 13-year-old Joshua Rojas, lives in Sylmar and attends Robert Frost Junior High School.

His Catholic Big Brother is Brad Miller.

``He takes me flying. We flew to San Bernardino, Newport - even to Nevada,'' Joshua said. ``We went hiking. It's fun. You get to meet new people and go places.''

The two have had a good time together yet Miller, a Granada Hills resident, also has been teaching Joshua about character.

``He taught me how to be responsible . .T. and how to stay together when you are out with friends and away from home,'' Joshua said.

Joshua's younger brother, Gabriel,, 11, also has a Big Brother - Joe Ancewicz of Eagle Rock. ``We're planning on going to Legoland with my brother and his Big Brother in June,'' Joshua said.

The agency needs mentors with a few hours a month to spend with a child of a single-parent home. The campaign will end on Father's Day.

For more information, call (800) 453-5437.

Numerous children and young adults in the Valley have proved their creative and academic abilities.

Some fourth- through sixth-grade students were awarded for their posters depicting the theme ``Let's Take Care Of Our Children'' from the Inter-Agency Council on Child Abuse and Neglect.

Winning students are: Christine Djaladian and Lourdes Diaz, from Camellia Avenue Elementary School; Angelo Burke, Help Group/Village Glen School; Alexandra Haim and Jean Min, Topeka Drive Elementary School; Jennings Spangle and Niko Takowsky, The Westmark School.

Finalists include: Guthrie Devine and Alex Mittleman, HELP Group/Village Glen School; and Alexander Tasoff, The Westmark School.

Jenna Guild, HELP Group/New School, won the Lindsay Wagner honorable mention award.

Another notable student, Oklahoma State University senior Paul De La Cerda, was selected by the university Alumni Association as one of the top 10 graduating seniors.

The student from Sylmar was named National Hispanic Student Leader of the Year, and Minority Engineer of the Year.

De La Cerda has patented his invention, the ``Pooch Pass Home Security Pet Door,'' and is president and CEO of the company. His parents, Philip and Nellie De La Cerda live in Sylmar.

Several Latino high school seniors received grants from The Youth Opportunities Foundation. They were recognized for achievement in advanced placement classes, leadership activities and academic excellence.

The exceptional scholars for 2000 are: Saskias Casanova, Oak Park High School; Ben Bohorquez, Notre Dame High School; Christian Canas, Herbert Hoover High School; and Billy Gordon, John Burroughs High School.

In addition, six Valley Latino students will be honored by The California Chicano News Media Association at the 20th annual Joel Garcia Memorial Scholarship Banquet on June 2.

Receiving $1,000 scholarships are: David Carrillo and Maria Guadalupe Ortiz-Briones, California State University, Northridge; Anthony McCartney and Rosa Ramirez, Santa Monica College; and Josefina Huerta, California Lutheran University.

Cindy Carcamo, a student at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, will receive $500.

The California Senior Games Foundation has awarded 85-year-old Vincent Malizia five first-place titles and five gold medals at the U.S. Track & Field Indoor Championships held in Boston, Mass.

The Northridge senior started running with former Olympic champion Laszlo Tabori 13 years ago. In June he will compete at the Crown Valley Senior Olympics in Pasadena in the Men's 85-89 age group.