Five high school students won the Las Vegas Philharmonic's seventh annual Young Artists Competition Oct. 28. Seventeen youths entered the competition open to ages 11 to 18.

The winners are: violinist Rebecca Li, 17; flutist Francesco Camuglia, 16; violinist Alex Gonzalez, 16; bassist Bryce Ningerthall, 16; and cellist Christopher Kirisciaglu, 16. Li is a student at Advanced Technologies Academy, while the others attend the Las Vegas Academy of International Studies, Performing and Visual Arts.

For the competition, Rebecca performed the Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso by Camille Saint-Saens; Francesco performed the Cecile Chaminade Concertino; Christopher performed Edouard Lalo's Concerto in D minor, first movement; and Alex and Bryce both performed "Zigeunerweisen (Gypsy Airs)" by Pablo Sarasate.

The musicians will perform during the Youth Concert Series for fourth- and fifth-graders at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas this month.

In other youth news:

* The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8250 announced the Voice of Democracy competition winners at its awards ceremony in November. The winners are: Alexander Ciucci, first place; Jazmine Woodberry, second place; and Rachel Winsten, third place. All of the winners are juniors at Palo Verde High School. For the competition, open to grades nine through 12, 25 students submitted and recorded an essay on the theme "Freedom's Challenge."

* More than 30 members of the Basic High School Student Council volunteered at the Silverman Triathlon Nov. 12. The students, who began their day at 5:45 a.m. and worked until 4 p.m., worked two aid stations on the biking course. The theme of their aid stations was a desert oasis, and the stations featured decorations and a kiddie pool.

* Basic High School's boys physical education department sponsored its 19th annual Turkey Trot Nov. 22. More than 300 boys and girls from physical education classes competed in the 1 1/2-mile race. Junior Greg Henderson had the overall best time with 8 minutes, 5 seconds. Freshman Stephanie Haze was the fastest girl. Both of the winners were awarded a turkey.

* The Star Catchers Dance Hip-Hop Program at Winchester Cultural Center, 3130 S. McLeod Drive, is accepting enrollment for its new 12-week session beginning Jan. 8. The program is open to ages 8 to 16, and offers classes for beginning, intermediate and advanced dancers. The fee is $60. For more information, call 455-7340.

If you know of a worthy candidate for this column, mail information to Youth Spotlight, Las Vegas Review-Journal, P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125-0070, or send faxes to 383-4676.